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HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Final Draft Ipswich Local Plan 2018-2036
OCTOBER 2019
Copyright © 2018 Arcadis. All rights reserved. arcadis.com
CONTACTS
ALISON POWELL Associate Technical Director
VERSION CONTROL
Version Date Author Checker Approver Changes
001 25.07.19 Georgina
Thompson
David
Hourd Draft Health Impact Assessment
002 17.09.19 Georgina
Thompson
Alison
Powell Draft Health Impact Assessment
003 11.10.19 Georgina
Thompson
David
Hourd
Final Draft Health Impact
Assessment
This report dated 11 October 2019 has been prepared for Ipswich Borough Council (the “Client”) in accordance with the
terms and conditions of appointment dated 26 October 2018(the “Appointment”) between the Client and Arcadis UK
(“Arcadis”) for the purposes specified in the Appointment. For avoidance of doubt, no other person(s) may use or rely
upon this report or its contents, and Arcadis accepts no responsibility for any such use or reliance thereon by any other
third party.
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Purpose of Health Impact Assessment .............................................................................................. 1
2 OVERVIEW OF THE LOCAL PLAN ......................................................................... 2
2.1 Aims ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Potential for the Local Plan to deliver Health Benefits ..................................................................... 3
3 IPSWICH HEALTH PROFILE .................................................................................... 4
3.1 Demography .......................................................................................................................................... 4
3.2 Deprivation ............................................................................................................................................ 4
3.3 Health Profile ......................................................................................................................................... 4
3.4 Lifestyle Factors ................................................................................................................................... 5
4 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ............................................................................. 7
4.1 Guidance................................................................................................................................................ 7
4.2 Health Determinants ............................................................................................................................. 7
4.3 Approach to Assessment .................................................................................................................. 10
5 HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT SUMMARY ....................................................... 12
6 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................... 17
APPENDICES
Health Impact Assessment Matrix
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1 Introduction
This document comprises the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of the emerging Final Draft Ipswich Local
Plan 2018-2036. It has been prepared by Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd (‘Arcadis’) on behalf of Ipswich
Borough Council (‘the Council’) as part of the combined Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Strategic
Environmental Assessment (SEA).
1.1 Purpose of Health Impact Assessment
The purpose of an HIA is to identify and assess the potential positive or negative effects in health and
wellbeing arising from the LPR. In addition to considering impacts on the health of the existing local
community, the HIA identifies appropriate mitigation and recommendations as necessary to minimise any
potential negative health impacts.
There is no statutory requirement for an HIA to be completed. However due to the strategic nature of the
Final Draft Ipswich Local Plan 2018-2036 it has been decided that an HIA should be undertaken to ensure
health and wellbeing is a consideration during the decision-making process and is supported by policies
contained within the plan. This approach is strongly advocated by central government in recognition of the
fact that public health is the outcome of a number of different, interrelated factors, not just health services.
The HIA can help the development of the Final Draft Ipswich Local Plan 2018-2036 by identifying potential
impacts of each policy, identifying ways in which negative impacts can be mitigated and benefits maximised.
There is no fixed method for undertaking an HIA; the method used in this assessment follows the approach
taken for the Suffolk Coastal Local Plan.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as a ‘state of complete physical, mental and social
well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. The range of personal, social, economic and
environmental factors that influence health status are known as health determinants and include the physical
environment, income levels, employment, education, social support and housing. Determinants of health
and well-being are summarised in Figure 1.1
Figure 1.1 Determinants of Health and Well-Being
Pre-existing factors such as age, genetic make-up and gender are fixed and strongly influence a person’s
health status. Other determinants of health can include:
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• social and economic circumstances such as poverty, unemployment and other forms of social exclusion.
These strongly influence health, and improving them can significantly improve health;
• how the environment in which people live, work and play are provided and managed (for example air
quality, aspects of the built environment). These can either damage health or provide opportunities for
health improvement;
• lifestyle factors; and
• the accessibility of services such as the National Health Service (NHS), education, social services,
transport and leisure facilities influence the health of the population.
The LPR will affect all people who live and work within Ipswich, although vulnerable populations groups have
the potential to be disproportionality effected. Vulnerable populations include those with greater physical
needs such as children, older people, the chronically ill and disabled. In addition, to those with chronic
mental conditions, substance abuse, the homeless and socioeconomically disadvantaged1. Vulnerable
populations are at greater risk to poor health and can experience significant disparities in life expectancy.
2 Overview of the Local Plan
2.1 Aims
In February 2017 the Council adopted the Local Plan 2011 – 2031. The Council is now preparing the Final
Draft Ipswich Local Plan 2018-2036to replace the Adopted Plan, which will look ahead to 2036. The Council
is aligning its Local Plan with the Local Plans for Babergh District, Mid-Suffolk District and the former Suffolk
Coastal District area of East Suffolk Councils – the other authorities that form the Ipswich Housing Market
Area and Ipswich Functional Economic Area (FEA). The emerging LPR will help to shape the future growth
and development of the Borough and the economic, social and environmental relationships between the
Ipswich Strategic Planning Area (ISPA) authorities. There are cross boundary issues that are relevant to the
development and future of the Borough, the urban area of Ipswich and its surrounding areas. This has long
been recognised with the identification of the ‘Ipswich Policy Area’, which has been extended and renamed
as the Ipswich Strategic Planning Area ISPA. The geography of the ISPA now equates with the Ipswich
Housing Market Area and the Ipswich Functional Economic Area, which both extend over the whole of
Ipswich Borough, and Babergh, Mid Suffolk and the former Suffolk Coastal part of East Suffolk Districts. An
ISPA Board, consisting of councillors, supported by an officer group from the constituent ISPA local
authorities and Suffolk County Council, is a key vehicle for cross boundary planning in the ISPA.
The 2018-2036 LPR will replace the existing 2017 Ipswich Local Plan Documents, namely:
• Core Strategy and Policies Development Plan Document (DPD) (Adopted February 2017); and
• Site Allocations and Policies (incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan (AAP)) DPD (Adopted February
2017).
The Core Strategy Review document presents a Vision for the Borough by 2036. It also sets out twelve
Strategic Objectives in order to realise this Vision. The Vision and Strategic Objectives were assessed for
their compatibility with the SA Framework. On the whole, the Council’s Vision and Strategic Objectives
proposed for the Final Draft Ipswich Local Plan 2018-2036 were found to be highly compatible with the SA
Framework and would be expected to help ensure the LPR delivers socially, economically and
environmentally sustainable land-uses and development until 2036.
The Core Strategy document presents a range of Core Strategy Policies related to the Spatial Approach,
Live, Work, Learn, Play and Infrastructure. Each of these has been assessed in detail in the Appendix A of
this report. The results of the assessments of core strategy policies identified largely positive effects for all
SA Objectives. Where opportunities were identified for enhancing positive or adverse effects, or avoiding or
minimising adverse effects, recommendations were made.
1 Waisel, D.B., 2013. Vulnerable populations in healthcare. Current Opinion in Anesthesiology, 26(2), pp.186-
192.
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The Core Strategy LPR Document also presents policies in order to enable the Council to manage
development in the Borough and ensure it is sustainable. Where development proposals do not accord with
these policies, they are less likely to be granted permission by the Council. The results of the assessments
of development management policies identified largely positive effects for all SA Objectives. Where
opportunities were identified for enhancing positive or adverse effects, or avoiding or minimising adverse
effects, recommendations for achieving this were made.
2.2 Potential for the Local Plan to deliver Health Benefits
The Final Draft Ipswich Local Plan 2018-2036can help create a healthy and sustainable community through
ensuring the impacts upon the health of the population are integrated into planning. The link between
planning and health has been long established. Chapter 2 of the NPPF (2019) states that the purpose of the
planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, of which there are three
dimensions: economic, social and environmental:
• Economic role – contributing to building a strong, responsive and competitive economy, by ensuring that
sufficient land of the right type is available in the right places and at the right time to support growth and
innovation and by identifying and coordinating development requirements, including the provision of
infrastructure.
• Social role – supporting strong, vibrant and healthy communities, by providing the supply of housing
required to meet the needs of present and future generations; and by creating a high-quality built
environment, with accessible local services that reflect the community’s needs and support its health,
social and cultural well-being; and
• Environmental role – contributing to protecting and enhancing our natural, built and historic environment;
as part of this, helping to improve biodiversity, use natural resources prudently, minimise waste and
pollution, and mitigate and adapt to climate change including moving to a low carbon economy.
The built and natural environments are major determinants of health and wellbeing. The importance of this
role is highlighted in paragraph 91 of the NPPF where it states that planning policies and decisions should
aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places which:
• Promote social interaction, including opportunities for meetings between people who might not otherwise
come into contact with each other – for example through mixed-use developments, strong neighbourhood
centres, street layouts that allow for easy pedestrian and cycle connections within and between
neighbourhoods, and active street frontages;
• Are safe and accessible, so that crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of
life or community cohesion – for example through the use of clear and legible pedestrian routes; and high
quality public space, which encourages the active and continual use of public areas; and
• Enable and support healthy lifestyles, especially where this would address identified local health and well-
being needs – for example through the provision of safe and accessible green infrastructure, sports
facilities, local shops, access to healthier food, allotments and layouts that encourage walking and
cycling.
Paragraph 92 focuses on the provision of social, recreational and cultural facilities and services which a
community needs; paragraphs 95 and 96 relate to the promotion of public safety and the provision of access
to open space, sport and recreational activities respectively.
Local Authorities have a significant role in embedding health and wellbeing measures into local plans and
policies to deliver healthy places. Local plans can target specific local issues and tailor their approach to
tackle their local and specific needs2. Local plans can set policies to address local pressures, including the
pressure to meet housing demands without compromising on quality, affordable housing and design.
2 The Kings Fund (2019)
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3 Ipswich Health Profile
The delivery of the Final Draft Ipswich Local Plan 2018-2036will influence the lives of everyone within the
district. Therefore, it is essential to identify the profile of the district in terms of demographics, deprivation
levels, health status and lifestyle factors. Understanding the needs of the population will make it possible to
maximise the benefits and mitigate potential adverse impacts of future development. Chapter 4 of the SA
Scoping Report provides a detailed social baseline review which will also contribute to the assessment of the
Local Plan policies.
3.1 Demography
The population of Ipswich is estimated to be some 137,500 residents3. The population is relatively young,
with over one fifth of residents under 15 years old and a low proportion of retired residents. Ipswich is
projected to have a higher population increase than surrounding local authorities (5.0%), predominately from
natural change due to further and higher education opportunities and a greater number of projected births to
deaths.
3.2 Deprivation
The English Indices of Deprivation 2019 provide a relative measure of deprivation at small area levels
(Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs)) across England, based on information relating to income, employment,
health and disability, education, crime, barriers to housing and services and living environment, which can be
combined into an overall Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). These highlight links between deprivation and
poorer health outcomes, driven by complex interacting environmental, social and behavioural factors.
According to the 2019 IMD, Ipswich is ranked as the 71th most deprived local authority in England out of 317,
with 14% of its LSOAs in the most deprived 10%4. However, deprivation across the Borough is not uniform.
There are significant pockets of deprivation across most Wards in the south and west of the town, including
Whitehouse, Whitton, Westgate, Gipping, Sprites, Stoke Park, Bridge, Gainsborough, Alexandra and Priory
Heath. According to the IMD data, the domains of deprivation which are particularly a focus for Ipswich
include: Education, Income, Living Environment, Crime, Employment, Health and Barriers to Housing.
The Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI) illustrates the proportion of children aged 0-15
years living in income-deprived households as a proportion of all children aged 0-15 years; Ipswich is ranked
as 84th most deprived5. The Income Deprivation Affecting Older People Index (IDAOPI) conversely shows
adults aged 60 or over living in income-deprived households as a percentage of all adults aged 60 or over
and ranks Ipswich as 95rd most deprived in England6. In addition to a higher overall IMD score, Ipswich has a
higher level of deprivation in the IDACI and IDAOPI indicators compared to the national average.
The unemployment figure in Ipswich (4.1%) is higher than the regional average, although in line with the
national average7. The total proportion of claimants as a proportion of resident population in Ipswich (3.5%)
is higher than surrounding districts and the national average8. Impacts of deprivation are associated with an
increased risk of depression and poor general health.
3.3 Health Profile
The health picture for Ipswich is similar to the national average, reflected in the lower than national average
life expectancy from birth figures for both men (79.2 years) and women (83.4 years) from birth which are
similar to the national average9. However, only 5% percent of the population consider themselves to be in
bad or very bad health compared with 46% percent of the population that consider themselves to be in very
3 ONS Population estimates (2018) 4 Department of Communities and Local Government 2019 5 Department of Communities and Local Government 2019 6 Department of Communities and Local Government 2019 7 ONS annual population survey 2019 8 ONS annual population survey 2019 9 Public Health England 2018
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good health10. Some 17.6% percent of the population report living with a long-term health problem or
disability.
Ipswich has a significantly higher under 75 mortality rate on average for all causes than the regional and
national average, highlighting the general lower standard of well-being. In addition, Ipswich has a
significantly higher under 75 mortality rate for both cancer and cardiovascular deaths disease compared to
the East of England and England as a whole. The under 75 mortality rate for cancer in the Borough is
statistically similar to England as a whole. Ipswich has a greater under 75 mortality rate from causes
considered preventable (185.6 per 100,000)11 (though this is statistically similar to England). Although
Ipswich has a relatively young population the health-related quality of life for older people is lower than the
national average for England (0.729)12, but this is not statistically significant.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a set of symptoms caused when the brain is damaged by diseases such as
Alzheimer’s or a series of strokes. In 2016 there were an estimated 850,000 people living with dementia in
the UK. The estimated diagnosis rate for people with dementia is 74.1% in the Borough of Ipswich13.
Around 1 in 5 of the working-age population has a mental health condition14. An estimated 18.2% of
residents in Ipswich have a common mental health disorder15 and the estimated prevalence of depression in
Ipswich is 15.8%. This equates to an estimated 45,766 people in Ipswich and east Suffolk with common
mental health disorders16. Social risk factors such as poverty, migration, extreme stress, exposure to
violence, emergency and conflict situations, trauma, and low social support, increase risk for poor mental
health and specific disorders17. In 2017 there were 4,451 deaths by suicide in England. The suicide rate in
Ipswich is 11.2%, slightly lower than the national average of 9.6%18. Ipswich has a significant proportion of
transient renters (16.6%), greater than Suffolk Coastal District (2.9%) and the average for the UK (5.7%)19.
There is a growing body of evidence that frequent relocation can lead to adverse health and wellbeing
outcomes20. Transient populations are primarily associated with younger people in low cost and social
accommodation.
3.4 Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle is a key component in determining the health of the population. The choices individuals make about
how they live their lives, for example a lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, high alcohol consumption or
smoking can have a big impact on the health picture of an area.
The percentage of the adult population that are considered active (at least 150 minutes per week of all sport and physical activity stands at 62% similar to the national average (62.6%)21. 24.4% of Ipswich residents are inactive (<30 minutes a week), slightly lower than the rate for all adults (25.1%). The rate of inactivity “have done no activity in the last 28 days” is higher in Ipswich (62.5%) than England (57.9%) according to the Active Lives Survey20. Physical activity can directly improve health, even in small time intervals. The range of positive effects of physical activity include improved life satisfaction and happiness, as well as reduced anxiety levels.
10 Nomis 11 Public Health England, produced from ONS data 12 Public Health England 2018 13 Public Health England 2019 14 McManus S, Bebbington P, Jenkins R, Brugha T. (eds.). Mental health and wellbeing in England: Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey; 2016 15 Public Health England 2018 16 Estimated from Annual Population Survey 2019 17 World Health Organisation. Maternal mental health (2017) 18 Public Health England 2017 19 Ipswich Borough & Suffolk Coastal District Retail and Commercial Leisure Town Centre Study (2017) 20 Jiang, N., Pacheco, G. & Dasgupta, K. J Pop Research (2019) 21 Active Lives Survey 2017-2018
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Good nutrition and healthy eating are important factors for all people to follow as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Across Ipswich, Public Health England’s study on the density of fast food outlets in England identified 178
fast food outlets. Ipswich has a significantly higher density of fast food outlets (128.5 rate per 100,000
population) than regional and national figures show (96.1 for England as a whole)22. There is a growing body
of evidence on the association between exposure to fast food outlets and obesity levels. The prevalence of
children classified as being overweight or obese is increasing nationally. Children living close to fast food
outlets are more likely to be overweight or obese. Childhood obesity is a particular issue generally due to
increasing rates and the problems of becoming obese at earlier ages resulting in staying obese for longer23.
Obesity levels among children are higher for Ipswich than the national average, with the proportion of year
six children who are overweight or obese accounting for 34.7% of the population. About 68.4% of the adult
population of the district are overweight or obese24. This is higher than the national average of 62.0%.
Illegal Drugs, Tobacco and Alcohol use ‘are a global health threat’ according to the NHS25 and are ‘major
global risk factors for disability and premature loss of life26. A multitude of evidence highlights the dangers
surrounding these substances, in particular citing the common use, accessibility and dependent nature.. The
health burden is accompanied by economic costs, expenditure on health care and other direct and indirect
costs25. Out of every 100,000 people around the world, 111 are estimated to due from tobacco -related
causes, 33 from alcohol-related causes and 7 from illegal drug use24.
In Ipswich 571 (per 100,000) years of life are lost due to alcohol related conditions and alcohol related
mortality stands at 51.3 (per 100,000), greater than the average for England 46.227.The rate of alcohol-
related harm hospital stays is 726 (rate per 100,000 population), worse than the average for England; this represents 906 stays per year.
Smoking prevalence in adults (18+) (APS) in Ipswich is 17.1%, greater than regional (14.0%) and national (14.4%) averages. The rate of deaths from respiratory disease among people aged 65 years and over in Ipswich is similar to the national average 636 (per 100,000) 28.
The Young People and Substance Misuse in Suffolk: Health Needs Assessment (2018)29 identified that in a
recent survey undertaken in Suffolk 80% of young people had drunk alcohol and around 16% had ever taken drugs. Evidence suggests that a significant proportion of adults who misuse substances began as young people, therefore, preventative measures aimed at young people are essential28.
Overall, due the population being proportionally younger than regional and national averages, having a
poorer health picture highlights the importance to improve the health and wellbeing provision across the local
authority.
22https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/741555/Fast_Food_map.pdf 23 Public Health England, 2017 24 Public Health England 25 https://www.nhs.uk/news/medical-practice/tobacco-alcohol-and-illegal-drugs-are-global-health-threat/ 26 Peacock, A., Leung, J., Larney, S., Colledge, S., Hickman, M., Rehm, J., Giovino, G.A., West, R., Hall, W., Griffiths, P. and Ali, R., 2018. Global statistics on alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use: 2017 status report. Addiction, 113(10), pp.1905-1926. 27 Public Health England 2017 28 Public Health England 2017 29 Young People and Substance Misuse in Suffolk: Health Needs Assessment (2018)
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4 Assessment Methodology
4.1 Guidance
The HIA has followed guidance produced by the NHS London Healthy Urban Development Unit (HUDU),
Planning for Health: Rapid Health Impact Assessment Tool (third edition April 2017). The HUDU guidance
helps identify those determinants of health likely to be influenced by a specific policy. The aim of the
Assessment Tool is to ensure ‘health and wellbeing is properly considered when evaluating and determining
planning proposals and that where possible development plans and proposals have a positive rather than a
negative influence on health’.
4.2 Health Determinants
The SA scoping stage conducted in 2018 identified those determinants to be assessed within the HIA. These
are set out below, divided into eleven categories; detail is provided as to why each category of determinants
form an important element of health and well-being.
1. Housing quality and design
Housing is inextricably linked to health, in terms of the provision of physical shelter, sense of security and
comfort30. The home and neighbourhood environment provide structural and social security, without which
health can be negatively impacted31. Aspects of the home deriving from structural features, design and
quality (for example the presence of mould, or cold temperatures) can directly impact health; similarly,
location of the home, the wider neighbourhood environment and social connectedness to a community can
indirectly impact health32. High quality sustainable housing has greater energy efficiency, this can help
reduce the income gap for households, tackle fuel poverty and be more affordable overall33. Therefore,
housing quality can directly impact on the mental well-being of local residents in addition to their physical
health34. Indicators within this category are as follows:
• Building for Life 12 criteria and building regulation requirement M4 (2)35 for accessible homes;
• Adaptable homes and housing for different socio-economic groups;
• Promote good design;
• Sustainable and energy efficient;
• Range of types and tenures; and
• Private amenity space.
2. Access to healthcare service and other social infrastructure
Access to social infrastructure and services such as health, education and community facilities has been
found through research to have a direct positive effect on human health. Leisure activities for example, can
have a positive effect on people’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive health through prevention, coping
(adjustment, remediation, diversion), and transcendence36. Accessibility to healthcare facilities in physical
and digital forms is a central focus in the UK government’s programme to improve social inclusion and
reduce inequality. Equal access to a range of both primary and secondary healthcare services can
contribute to a reduction in health inequality. Local healthcare services are often best placed to deliver
30 Shaw, M., 2004. Housing and public health. Annual. Rev. Public Health, 25, pp.397-418. 31 Dunn, J.R., 2002. Housing and inequalities in health: a study of socioeconomic dimensions of housing and self reported health from a survey of Vancouver residents. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 56(9), pp.671-681. 32 Suglia, S.F., Duarte, C.S. and Sandel, M.T., 2011. Housing quality, housing instability, and maternal mental health. Journal of Urban Health, 88(6), pp.1105-1116. 33 Sustainable homes – the financial and environmental benefits (2005) 34 Evans, G.W., Wells, N.M., Chan, H.Y.E. and Saltzman, H., 2000. Housing quality and mental health. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 68(3), p.526. 35https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/540330/BR_PDF_AD_M1_2015_with_2016_
amendments_V3.pdf 36 Caldwell, L.L. (2005) Leisure and health: Why is leisure therapeutic?
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personalised care to local residents, including delivering community programmes such as social prescribing
which take a greater holistic approach to health and wellbeing. Indicators within this category are as follows:
• Retains social infrastructure;
• Promotes social interaction and prevents community severance;
• Accessibility of social infrastructure and healthcare services;
• Creates mixed communities and address local inequalities; and
• Contributes to a range of education needs.
3. Access to open space and nature
Public amenities such as parks, recreational facilities and social and cultural services benefit the well-being
of local residents, providing opportunities for health-promoting activity, physical exercise, and meeting-
places37. The spatial distribution of public services and facilities has the potential to reduce inequality
between neighbourhoods. Indicators within this category are as follows:
• Retain and enhance existing open and natural spaces;
• Range of good quality play and exercise space;
• Promote participation in physical activity; and
• Protects biodiversity.
4. Air quality, noise and neighbourhood amenity
Air quality refers to the condition of the air in the environment. Good air quality relates to the degree in which
the air is free from pollutants. Air pollutants are generated by a mixture of natural and anthropogenic
processes which are released into the air, often reacting with other chemicals to create potentially toxic
pollutants. Factors including weather patterns and molecule size affect where pollutants can be deposited,
which can lead to some areas being affected worse than others. Air pollution is one of the 20 leading risk
factors for disease and contributed more than 2% of the annual disability-adjusted life years (DALYS) lost in
the UK in the 2010 Global Burden of Disease comparative risk assessment38. Noise pollution and vibration
can lead to annoyance, interference with speech and sleep disturbance. It can also lead to cardiovascular
and physiological effects. Indicators within this category are as follows:
• Reduce and mitigate effects of poor air quality and air pollution.
• Minimise construction impacts; and
• Minimise noise and odour pollution.
5. Accessibility and active travel
Accessibility by a variety of transport means is fundamentally an enabler of access to services and social
opportunities. Transport barriers are not experienced equally through the population and are impacted by
social exclusion, living in rural areas, access to a car, public transport availability and the skills and
confidence to use available transport. Transport barriers have a particular impact on individuals with limiting
conditions, no access to a car and with long trips to GPs or hospitals and those on low incomes or whom are
carers. Indicators within this category are as follows:
• Prioritise walking and cycling;
• Connected public realm;
• Traffic calming;
• Reduce car use;
• Accessibility to public and community transport;
37 Koohsari, M.J., Mavoa, S., Villanueva, K., Sugiyama, T., Badland, H., Kaczynski, A.T., Owen, N. and Giles-Corti, B., 2015. Public open space, physical activity, urban design and public health: Concepts, methods and research agenda. Health & Place, 33, pp.75-82. 38 Murray CJL et al., UK health performance: findings of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010, Lancet 2013; 381:9871: 997-1020
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• Support people with mobility problems; and
• Protect public rights of way.
6. Crime reduction and community safety
Rates of crime and fear of crime are associated with features of the physical environment within
neighbourhoods; such features range from housing configurations that facilitate natural surveillance through
to abandoned buildings that suggest vulnerability to crime. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
(CPTED) includes design recommendations for housing layout, land use, territoriality, and physical
maintenance, and was developed to improve public safety; the UK version is called ‘secure by design’.
Indicators within this category are as follows:
• Design out crime;
• Attractive multi-use public spaces; and
• Engagement with the local community.
7. Access to healthy food
Public health researchers have noted that urban places have a strong influence on what people eat, by
providing healthy food choices in or out of reach of a short walk. Restaurants and food retailers should be
considered essential elements of the neighbourhood mix39. Dietary improvements have been shown to
significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Obesity is a complex and multifactorial health condition.
Thus, there are an array for factors that influence diet and physical activity, which include:
• Range of retail stores;
• Limit over concentration of fast food outlets;
• Protect locally grown food; and
• Promote community based healthy eating initiatives.
8. Access to work and training
Employment is protective of health due to its associations with feelings of security, increased friendship
networks and social status. To maximise health benefits, jobs need to be sustainable, offer a minimum level
of quality, pay a decent living wage, provide opportunities for in-work development, provide flexibility to
enable people to have a work and family life balance, and offer protection from adverse working conditions
that can damage health. Income from employment also has an indirect financial effect on the quality of life of
families, their health and the health of dependants. Employment supports the health needs of future
communities, ensuring that more people living and working with comorbidities are considered and residents
who require access to a carer have that opportunity. Indicators within this category are as follows:
• Diverse, local and accessible employment and training opportunities;
• Facilitate flexible childcare;
• Support new business start-ups; and
• Promote safe and pleasant working environments.
9. Social cohesion and lifetime neighbourhoods
Social cohesion refers to the value derived from strong social networks within a community. Social cohesion
can create an environment which is more prosperous, liveable and economically viable40, supporting well-
being, including personal well-being and health. Cohesive communities are characterised by a sense of
belonging to an area, respect for diversity and the presence of similar and equal opportunities for all
residents41. Links between social capital / cohesion and health and well-being include opportunities for social
participation and support (which can result in a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, anxiety and
39 Wellbeing Principles for British Land 2015 40 https://www.ifhp.org/agenda/making-cities-socially-cohesive 41 https://www.futurecommunities.net/ingredient/45/developing-and-delivering-cohesive-community
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depression). Research has shown that improved social cohesion can lead to improvements in mental well-
being and health. Indicators within this category are as follows:
• Encourage a range of community facilities;
• Safe, legible, attractive and inclusive public realm; and
• Protect cultural and community facilities.
10. Minimising the use of resources
Construction requires large quantities of energy, water and material resources – around one quarter of the
UK’s carbon dioxide emissions come from the energy used to heat, light and run dwellings. With such
significant impacts, taking a sustainable building approach is an increasingly important action42. In order to
extend the life span of the dwellings, reduce the use of further resources to fix operational mistakes and
reduce the ongoing environmental damage, the way construction practitioners operate must place
sustainability as the central focus. Indicators within this category are as follows:
• Make best use of land;
• Protect amenity and green space;
• Encourage recycling and minimise water;
• Sustainable design and construction techniques;
• Use of renewable energies including solar; and
• Enhance biodiversity and geodiversity.
11. Climate change
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the UK and world today. Buildings including
residential dwellings are a significant emitter of CO2 in the UK43. The Marmot Review is clear that local areas
should prioritise policies and interventions that ‘reduce both health inequalities and mitigate climate change’
because of the likelihood that people with the poorest health would be hit hardest by the impacts of climate
change. Indicators within this category are as follows:
• Incorporate renewable and low carbon energy;
• Sustainable drainage;
• Provision of shade in the public realm;
• Minimise flooding;
• Promoted reduced carbon emission and pollution; and
• Resilient to future climate change.
4.3 Approach to Assessment
For each of the topics assessed in the HIA, the following criteria have been used, together with professional
judgement, to make an assessment of the potential impacts on health and well-being:
• change – identification of the aspect of the Plan that would cause the change, how the health
determinant might change as a result (including whether the change would be beneficial or adverse);
• duration – an assessment of the duration of change (temporary or permanent);
• intensity and exposure – consideration of the magnitude or severity of the change in the health
determinant, and the scale of people likely to be exposed to the change, including identification of
vulnerable populations.
42 Akadiri, P.O., Chinyio, E.A. and Olomolaiye, P.O., 2012. Design of a sustainable building: A conceptual framework for implementing sustainability in the building sector. Buildings, 2(2), pp.126-152. 43 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/8557/1415525.pdf
11
Significance of impact has been identified for each of the health indicators, using the above as a guide.
Health impacts have been identified as positive, neutral or negative accordingly:
• positive impacts – prevent deaths/prolong lives, reduce/prevent the occurrence of acute or chronic
diseases or enhance mental wellbeing.
• neutral impacts – no health effects or effects within the bounds of normal/accepted variation.
• negative impacts – could lead directly to deaths, acute or chronic diseases or poor mental ill health.
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5 Health Impact Assessment Summary
The HIA uses a matrix to assess the health impact of each individual policy contained in the LPR. The
detailed matrix is set out at Appendix A to this report; a summary table of the main findings is provided
below.
Table 5.1 Health Impact Assessment Summary Table
Assessment Criteria
Potential Health Impact
(Positive /
Neutral /
Negative)
Housing Quality and Design
Does the plan seek to meet all the Building for Life 12 criteria44? Positive impact
Does the plan seek to meet Building Regulation requirement M4 (2 for accessible homes?
Positive impact
Does the plan address the housing needs of older people? i.e. extra care housing, sheltered housing, and wheelchair accessible homes?
Positive impact
Does the plan include homes that can be adapted to support independent living for older and disabled people? E.g. homes that are accessible and adaptable
Positive impact
Does the plan promote good design through layout and orientation, meeting internal space standards? (e.g. building orientation, internal space, access to sunlight, provision of shading and ventilation etc.)
Positive impact
Does the plan include provision of homes built of sustainable planet friendly materials?
Positive impact
Does the plan include the provision of homes that are highly energy efficient and affordable to run? (e.g. have a high SAP rating, lots of natural light.)
Positive impact
Does the plan include a range of housing types and sizes, including affordable housing for purchase and/or to rent responding to local housing needs?
Positive impact
Does the plan include a requirement for private amenity space? Positive impact
Does the plan address safety in high rise buildings? Positive impact
Access to Healthcare Services and Other Social Infrastructure
What impact will the plan have on the provision of community facilities which promote social interaction (e.g. village hall, community centre, staff room)
Positive impact
44 https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/asset/document/Building%20for%20Life%2012_0.pdf
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Assessment Criteria
Potential Health Impact
(Positive /
Neutral /
Negative)
Does the plan seek to prevent community severance (e.g. new road or developments dividing a community in two)
Positive impact
Does the plan assess the impact on demand for and access to healthcare services? Positive impact
What impact will the plan have on creating mixed communities with a variety of tenures and uses?
Positive impact
What impact will the plan have on addressing local inequalities? Positive impact
Does the plan assess the capacity, location and accessibility of other social infrastructure, e.g. schools, social care and community facilities?
Positive impact
Does the plan explore opportunities for shared community use and co-location of services?
Positive impact
Does the Plan contribute to meeting early years, primary, secondary and post 19 education needs?
Positive impact
Access to Open Space and Nature
Does the plan retain and enhance existing open and natural spaces? Positive impact
In areas of deficiency, does the plan provide new open or natural space, or improve access to existing spaces?
Positive impact
Does the plan provide a range of good quality play and exercise spaces for children and young people?
Positive impact
Does the plan protect/allocate land for new sports facilities – indoor and outdoor – as needed?
Positive impact
Does the plan ensure that buildings are designed to maximise participation in physical activity? (e.g. prominent stairwell positioning, prominent and secure cycle parking)
Positive impact
Does the plan address the need for wheelchair and pushchair access to open spaces (e.g. parks, play areas, natural spaces, sports fields?)
Positive impact
Does the plan protect and enhance biodiversity? Positive impact
Air Quality, Noise and Neighbourhood Amenity
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Assessment Criteria
Potential Health Impact
(Positive /
Neutral /
Negative)
Does the plan set out a strategy to reduce and mitigate the effects of poor air quality and air pollution? (e.g. from increased motor traffic, industrial developments)
Neutral impact
Does the plan address the need to minimise construction impacts (e.g. dust, congestion, construction noise)
Positive impact
Does the plan address noise pollution? Neutral impact
Does the plan address odour? Positive impact
Does the plan address water quality? Neutral impact
Accessibility and Active Travel
Does the plan prioritise and encouraging walking? (e.g. wide safe streets, traffic calming.)
Positive impact
Does the plan prioritise and encourage cycling? (e.g. provision of cycle lanes, cycle parking, showers and lockers.)
Positive impact
Does the plan connect public realm and internal routes within developments to local and strategic cycle and walking networks?
Positive impact
Does the plan include measures for traffic calming and the reduction of road traffic injures?
Positive impact
Does the plan seek to reduce car use? (e.g. locating developments close to local facilities.)
Positive impact
Does the plan promote the provision and enhancement of access to public transport network (e.g. bus and rail)
Positive impact
Does the plan address the needs of people who are car dependent? (e.g. people with mobility problems.)
Positive impact
Does the plan allow people with mobility problems or a disability to access buildings and places?
Positive impact
Does the plan protect and enhance public rights of way? Positive impact
Crime Reduction and Community Safety
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Assessment Criteria
Potential Health Impact
(Positive /
Neutral /
Negative)
Does the plan incorporate elements to help design out crime? (e.g. reducing opportunities for people to commit crime and creating safe and unintimidating environments.)
Positive impact
Does the plan include attractive, multi-use public spaces and buildings? Positive impact
Has engagement and consultation been carried out with the local community? Positive impact
Access to Healthy Food
Is there a range of retail uses, including food stores and smaller affordable shops for social enterprises?
Positive impact
Does the plan address the over concentration of fast food / unhealthy food outlets in a single area, in particular along school routes?
Neutral impact
Will the plan restrict the local food supply being monopolised by a single provider? Positive impact
Are allotments, growing land and gardens protected and new sites allocated where there is a deficit?
Positive impact
Does the plan promote access to community based healthy eating initiatives (e.g. Growing Projects, Community Cafes, Healthy Food Cooperatives, etc)
Positive impact
Access to Work and Training
Does the plan provide access to local employment and training opportunities, including temporary construction and permanent ‘end-use’ jobs?
Positive impact
Does the plan provide diverse, accessible employment opportunities appropriate to the skill sets present in the local community?
Positive impact
Does the plan provide childcare facilities and other support services? Positive impact
Does the plan include managed and affordable workspace for local businesses which supports business start-up, development and survival?
Positive impact
Does the plan promote the provision of a safe and pleasant working environment? Positive impact
Social Cohesion and Lifetime Neighbourhoods
Does the plan include a mix of uses and a range of community facilities? Positive impact
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Assessment Criteria
Potential Health Impact
(Positive /
Neutral /
Negative)
Will the plan result in a public realm which is safe, legible, attractive and inclusive? Positive impact
Are cultural and community facilities protected, or sites allocated in areas of deficit? Positive impact
Minimising the Use of Resources
Does the plan make best use of existing land and protect accessible amenity space? Positive impact
Does the plan encourage recycling (including building materials)? Positive impact
Does the plan minimise waste and use of materials during the construction process and the impact of dealing with waste created? (e.g. increase traffic generated by transporting waste off site to be processed.)
Neutral impact
Does the plan incorporate sustainable design and construction techniques? Positive impact
Does the plan protect green space (e.g. for cooling, flood alleviation) Neutral impact
What impact does the plan have on sustaining or enhancing biodiversity and geodiversity?
Neutral impact
Climate Change
Does the plan incorporate renewable or low carbon energy? (e.g. wind and solar power)
Positive impact
Does the plan incorporate sustainable drainage techniques appropriate to the ground conditions?
Positive impact
Does the plan require the provision of shade in the public realm? Positive impact
Does the plan minimise the risk of flooding? Positive impact
Does the plan promote reduced carbon emissions and pollution? (e.g. insulation, sustainable construction methods)
Positive impact
Does the plan ensure that developments are resilient to future climate change? (e.g. sufficient cooling, shading and water efficiency)
Positive impact
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6 Conclusions and Recommendations
Overall, it is clear the policies within the Local Plan have the potential to make a positive net impact on the
physical and mental health and well-being of the population of Ipswich Borough; some policies making a
greater contribution than others. Those health determinants which see the greatest level of benefit include
social cohesion, access to work and training and improvements to accessibility and active travel.
The Plan makes a positive contribution towards meeting the housing requirements for the Borough. The Plan
has identified demand for a variety of housing types and tenures, including affordable housing and housing
for older people. Good quality, well designed and accessible housing can help tackle health inequalities.
Access to social infrastructure and services such as health, education and community facilities are protected
throughout the Plan. The Plan aims to deliver significant housing development with the potential to increase
demand on social infrastructure and services. The proposed Ipswich Garden Suburb is planned to provide
new education, healthcare and community facilities, all of which would make a major contribution towards
increasing local education capacity and provide services to the new community to mitigate negative health
effects on current residents.
The Borough of Ipswich is relatively urban in nature. The Plan seeks to safeguard existing open space while
delivering significant housing growth, maintaining access to open space and nature while delivering the
required development. The Plan should ensure the development of a coherent, high-quality and connected
green infrastructure network extending throughout and beyond the Borough. Access to open space, parks
and nature is proven to deliver significant physical and mental health benefits to all people.
Improving accessibility and encouraging residents to travel via sustainable modes is demonstrated
throughout the Plan. Residents with access to open space along with safe and attractive pedestrian and
cycle routes linking to services, facilities and amenities are shown to encourage physical activity, facilitate
sustainable and efficient forms of movement, thus benefiting physical health and mental well-being.
The Plan aims to ensure all residents reside in high quality housing, in neighbourhoods with greater levels of
community interaction. This in turn can lead to increased natural surveillance, leading to a reduction in the
fear of crime, and potential reduction in actual crime.
High-quality outdoor amenity spaces are required by the Plan which support healthy eating initiatives by
allowing residents to grow their own food. New retail space is proposed within the Plan; however, the Plan
makes no specific reference to controlling fast food outlets or creating healthier food environments.
The Plan ensures the delivery of new education facilities to match residential growth, supporting higher rates
of education and qualifications. The Education Quarter will be safeguarded, making a major contribution to
improving opportunities for people to gain skills and qualifications.
Pollution and poor air quality levels are found across Ipswich. The Plan includes policies to help improve
local air quality, such as Policy DM3 Air Quality; thereby helping to address harm by exposure to particulate
pollution. The Plan seeks to deliver new development in high-quality built environments away from major
sources of noise, air and light pollution.
Various policies safeguard and seek to enhance community facilities, particularly those in locations which
are accessible via sustainable transport modes. New or enhanced community facilities should be designed
and managed in a manner that encourages as much community interaction as possible. Particular efforts
may be needed for categories of society more prone to loneliness and the risk of social exclusion, such as
the elderly.
The Plan sets out how the Council will deliver new development while seeking to reduce carbon emissions
within the Borough. The Council could consider more ambitious carbon emission targets and standards to
have a greater impact on reducing carbon emission and thereby improving the health and well-being of local
residents.
1
Health Impact Assessment Matrix
Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
Housing Quality and Design
Does the plan seek to meet all the Building for Life 12 criteria45?
Yes
Policy ISPA4 Cross-boundary Working to Deliver Sites supports the Building for Life criteria due to the requirement for comprehensive master planning. Thus, ensuring good access to services, facilities and sustainable transport modes for all types of housing provided.
Policy CS1 Sustainable Development commits the Council towards socially, economically and environmentally sustainable development. Achieving this would contribute to creating a sense of place, integration into the neighbourhood and streets for all.
Policy CS2 The Location and Nature of Development seeks to focus new residential development into the town centre, areas within walking distance to district centres and areas with supporting community infrastructure. This approach targets previously developed land within town centres, ensures new housing is provided in proximity to services to increase accessibility and reduce car usage while needing housing needs.
Policy CS8 Housing Type and Tenure requires a mix of dwelling types to be provided. The quantity of homes satisfies the forecast growth in need, the type, cost and location of homes also satisfies the varied needs of Ipswich’s diverse and growing population. The mix of homes is informed by a robust evidence base in the SHMA
Policy DM12 Design and Character requires new development to be well designed and sustainable. The layout and design of the development must provide a safe and attractive public realm capable of being used by all. This Policy identifies that an assessment of design quality for major applications for residential development will be made using the Building for Life 12 criteria (CABE at the Design Council / Design for
Positive impact
Overall, the Plan aims to ensure development concurs with the Building for Life 12 criteria as shown throughout the various spatial and housing policies, in particular Policy DM12.
45 https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/asset/document/Building%20for%20Life%2012_0.pdf
2
Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
Homes / HBF) and applicants will be expected to demonstrate that scheme designs can achieve a ‘green’ score in each category enabling schemes to be eligible for ‘Building for Life Diamond’ status. Proposals which do not meet the criteria are required to justify why this is not possible. The design quality of smaller residential developments will be assessed against the various Building for Life criteria as may be considered reasonably applicable to the type and scale of development under consideration.
Objective 8 High standards of design will be required in new development includes an indicator stating that the proportion of dwellings granted planning permission that achieve Building for Life can be quantified and measured to access whether a high standard of design is being delivered.
Does the plan seek to meet Building Regulation requirement M4 (2)46 for accessible homes? Yes
Policy CS8 Housing Type and Tenure requires a varied mix of housing is available that aligns with the varied needs of the local population and would thereby help to tackle health inequalities. This policy works in accordance with the Strategic Housing Market Assessment. The policy also outlines the Council’s support for self-build, custom build and co-housing developments.
Policy DM12 Design and Character requires new development to be well designed and sustainable. The Local Plan sets out that 25% of dwellings on sites of 10 dwellings or more should be M4(2) compliant.
Positive impact
The Local Plan recognises the current supply and number of accessible and adaptable homes in the Borough and identifies future demand from an ageing population; increasing the need for accessible dwellings.
Does the plan address the housing needs of older people? i.e. extra care housing, sheltered housing, and wheelchair accessible homes?
Yes
Policy CS5 Improving Accessibility ensures that development is located and designed to enable access, promote inclusive and age-friendly design. The policy is also aimed at ensuring the accessibility of the town centre and individual buildings and developments by everyone, including older people, people whose mobility is impaired and people with dementia.
Policy CS8 Housing Type and Tenure requires a mix of dwelling types to be provided. The Plan recognises the increasing number of older person households over the Plan period. The SHMA identifies a surplus of
Positive impact
The Local Plan recognises the importance of supplying a mix of dwelling types and addressing the housing needs of older people due to increasing proportions of this age group and persons who may require further adaptions to their home.
46https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/540330/BR_PDF_AD_M1_2015_with_2016_amendments_V3.pdf
3
Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
185 sheltered and extra care housing units by 2036 in Ipswich.
Policy CS19 Provision of Health Services seeks to ensure the health needs of the population are addressed, including access to residential care.
Policy DM12 Design and Character requires all new developments to be well designed, sustainable and capable of being used by all. The 2014 Suffolk Housing Survey indicates that 10% of Ipswich residents live in a home which has been adapted in some way for accessibility purposes, although, the Council’s housing register currently indicates that a relatively small number of wheelchair accessible homes built to Building Regulations Standard M4(3) are needed. Therefore, although the Local Plan recognises the provision of wheelchair accessible homes, this type of provision is not a requirement. Provision for wheelchair accessible homes is encouraged within affordable housing developments.
Vulnerable populations include residents with disabilities.
Does the plan include homes that can be adapted to support independent living for older and disabled people? E.g. homes that are accessible and adaptable
Yes
Policy CS8 Housing Type and Tenure supports self build, custom build and co-housing developments. The policy requires all housing schemes of 50 or more dwellings to provide 10% of the plots available for self or custom build.
Policy DM12 Design and Character requires all new developments to be well designed, sustainable and capable of being used by all. Section (i) of the policy states that proposals should ensure good architectural design that is accessible and designed for long life by being capable of adaptation to changing needs and uses over time and which adopt the principles of dementia friendly design. The policy works to ensure that the development works well for potential occupiers, including storage of mobility scooters.
Positive impact
The Plan does not specify a requirement to include homes that can be adapted to support independent living for older and disabled people, however, it does support self build, custom build and co-housing developments. These housing types can provide further adaptability and accessibility compared to standard housing and thereby support independent living.
Vulnerable populations include the elderly and people with disabilities
Does the plan promote good design through layout and orientation, meeting internal space standards?
Yes
Policy DM2 Decentralised Renewable or Low Carbon Energy requires all new build development of 10 or more dwellings or in excess of 1,000 sq.m of other residential or non-residential floorspace shall provide at least 15% of their energy requirements from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon
Positive impact
The Plan promotes good design to enable new residents to live in high-quality homes, which would be beneficial to both the
4
Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
(e.g. building orientation, internal space, access to sunlight, provision of shading and ventilation etc.)
sources. The policy does allow for some flexibility in the percentage provision, such as passive house design and other inbuilt energy efficiency measures.
Policy DM7 Provision of Private Outdoor Amenity Space in New and Existing Developments seeks to ensure that new residential developments deliver a high quality and environmentally sustainable living environment, including well designed and located private outdoor amenity space. The policy sets key characteristics for well-designed private amenity space including well-shaped, useable, accessible, well planned relationship to internal space, not directly overlooked by neighbouring properties, high standard of security, privacy, delineation of public and private space, reasonable outlook and access to direct sunlight for part of the day.
Policy DM12 Design and Character requires all new developments to be well designed, sustainable and capable of being used by all
Policy DM18 Amenity seeks to protect the quality of life of occupiers and neighbours by only granting permission for development that does not result in an unacceptable loss of amenity. This includes consideration of their visual privacy, sense of enclosure, light, noise, vibration, odour, fumes, dust and contamination.
physical and mental well-being of residents.
Does the plan include provision of homes built of sustainable planet friendly materials?
Yes
Policy CS1 Sustainable Development is designed to ensure the Plan delivers economically, socially and environmentally sustainable development, including environmentally sustainable materials.
Policy DM1 Sustainable Construction
requires new residential development to meet
a high standard of environmental sustainability
under the following standards. “CO2 emissions
of 19% below the Target Emission Rate of the
2013 Edition of the 2010 Building Regulations
(Part L); and the water efficiency standards of
110 litres/person/day as set out in
Requirement G2, Part G of Schedule 1 and
regulation 36 to the Building Regulations
2010”. The policy would, therefore, lead to
more energy and water efficient homes.
Positive impact
The Plan outlines the support for development built using sustainable planet friendly materials and sets CO2 and water efficiency standards.
5
Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
Policy DM7 Provision of Private Outdoor Amenity Space in New and Existing Developments ensures new homes are built to be more environmentally sustainable throughout the lifetime of the development.
Policy DM12 Design and Character requires new development to be well designed and sustainable. The layout and design of the development must provide a safe and attractive public realm capable of being used by all. The Policy requires development to ensure that the siting, layout, scale, form, massing, materials and detailing of any proposed buildings will have a positive visual relationship with surrounding buildings.
Does the plan include the provision of homes that are highly energy efficient and affordable to run? (e.g. have a high SAP rating, lots of natural light.)
Yes
Policy DM1 Sustainable Construction aims to provide more energy and water efficient homes and in so doing, could make the cost of living for new residents more affordable due to lower utility bills.
Policy DM2 Decentralised Renewable or Low Carbon Energy seeks to increase the use of renewable energy, this could contribute towards homes being more affordable to run.
Policy DM12 Design and Character requires all new developments to be well designed and sustainable.
Positive impact
The Plan seeks to deliver more energy efficient homes with policies which encourage the use of renewable energy and use of sustainable materials.
Does the plan include a range of housing types and sizes, including affordable housing for purchase and/or to rent responding to local housing needs?
Yes
Policy ISPA1 Growth in the Ipswich Strategic Planning Area sets out the Council’s commitment to deliver 35,334 dwellings across the Borough by 2036. This delivery will make a positive contribution to the range of housing types, sizes and tenures including affordable housing.
Policy ISPA4 Cross-boundary Working to Deliver Sites outlines the delivery of a mixture of housing types in accessible locations in response to identified needs.
Policy CS1 Sustainable Development permits sustainable development in the Borough and in so doing should enable the delivery of new homes, thus would necessitate the inclusion of homes that satisfy the diverse needs of local residents.
Policy CS8 Housing Type and Tenure requires the Council to provide a mix of dwelling types to achieve strong, vibrant and healthy communities. The policy requires all
Positive impact
The Plan sets out policies addressing the delivery of a range of housing types and tenures, which could respond to local housing needs.
The Council states that the mix of new housing that would best address the needs of the local population by tenure for Ipswich by 2036 is: 20.5% of housing to be affordable rented, 63.5% market housing including private rent, and 16.1% affordable home ownership (including shared ownership and starter homes).
6
Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
major schemes over 10 dwellings to provide a mix of dwelling types and sizes in accordance with the Council’s Strategic Housing Market Assessment. The policy requires for affordable housing provision; the most appropriate type, size and mix for each development will be guided by the Council’s Affordable Housing Position Statement. Of the affordable housing provision 60% would be available to rent. This aims to meet the varied needs of the population.
Policy CS12 Affordable Housing seeks to ensure affordable housing is supplied in Ipswich. Sites of 10 dwellings or more (or sites of 0.5ha or more) require 15% on-site affordable housing. At least 60% of affordable housing provision shall consist of affordable housing for rent and the reminder affordable home ownership.
Policy CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb outlines the requirements for residential development located on the northern fringe of Ipswich known as Ipswich Garden Suburb. Overall, 31% of housing within the development must be affordable. The policy requires a mix of affordable dwelling types, sizes and tenures as in accordance with policies CS8 and CS12.
Policy CS12 Affordable Housing would help
to ensure residents of Ipswich who require
affordable housing to buy or rent are able to
acquire a home that suits their needs.
Does the plan include a requirement for private amenity space?
Yes
Policy DM7 Provision of Private Outdoor Amenity Space in New and Existing Developments ensures that new residential developments deliver a high quality and environmentally sustainable living environment. This includes private outdoor amenity space of an appropriate type and amount and should contribute to the improvement of biodiversity. The policy sets out the minimum space requirement for all new residential developments.
Policy DM8 The Natural Environment requires development to incorporate measures to provide net gains for biodiversity.
Policy DM9 Protection of Trees and Hedgerows seeks to protect existing and secure additional trees.
Positive impact
The Plan identifies the importance of providing private amenity space and sets the requirement for new residential developments to deliver high quality private outdoor amenity space appropriate to the dwelling.
7
Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
Does the plan address safety in high rise buildings?
Yes
Policy DM15 Tall Buildings requires tall buildings within the arc of land to the south-west of the town centre to be sustainable in design and construction and ensures the public safety, including fire safety, of all building users. The policy requires that where tall buildings are required, they are well integrated into the local community. This will reduce the risk of social exclusion amongst new residents.
Policy DM19 The Subdivision of Family Dwellings ensures that where houses are converted into flats or multiple houses, residential amenity and the quality of the home environment will be preserved as much as feasible for new residents.
Positive impact
Public and building user safety is a key requirement in Policy DM15 for support.
Access to Healthcare Services and Other Social Infrastructure
What impact will the plan have on the provision of community facilities which promote social interaction (e.g. village hall, community centre, staff room)
Yes
Policy ISPA1 Growth in the Ipswich
Strategic Planning Area identifies the
provision of sustainable homes in high-quality
environments, which have the potential to
indirectly support and foster community
interactions.
Policy ISPA2 Strategic Infrastructure
Priorities sets out the Council’s intention to
deliver a range of infrastructure including
health, education facilities across the Borough.
These facilities have the potential to promote
social interactions within communities.
Policy CS2 The Location and Nature of
Development ensures that the distribution of
homes in relation to services and amenities
would help to ensure residents have excellent
access to doctors, the hospital, green and
open spaces and a diverse range of natural
habitats whilst being situated within existing
communities. The relatively short distances to
travel in each case may encourage high rates
of walking and cycling.
Policy CS5 Improving Accessibility ensures
community services and facilities are
accessible for all, helping reduce the risk of
social exclusion.
Policy CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb will
provide approximately 3,500 new homes in
Ipswich, making a major contribution towards
meeting the housing needs for the entire
Positive impact
The Plan actively seeks to promote social interaction with a multitude of policies enabling high-quality environments with a range of community facilities. The provision of several community centres within Ipswich Garden Suburb highlight the promotion of social interaction within the Plan. Evidence suggests residents in new communities particularly in early occupation phases can experience a lack of a sense of belonging and opportunities for community interaction, therefore, phasing of development incorporating community facilities at the earliest stage is particularly important.
8
Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
community of Ipswich over the Plan period.
The proposed Garden Suburb will provide a
range of public open space, sport and
recreational facilities, retail, comparison
shopping, healthcare provision and education
facilities. This includes a multi-use community
centre in the district centre with integrated
library facilities, workspace hub and police
office. Two other community centres are
proposed within the local centres of the other
two neighbourhoods.
Polices CS17, CS19 and CS20 commit, safeguard and facilitate social infrastructure provision in Ipswich, thus, promoting social interaction from increased opportunities and greater accessibility.
Does the plan seek to prevent community severance (e.g. new road or developments dividing a community in two)
Yes
Policy CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb will provide approximately 3,500 new homes in Ipswich, making a major contribution towards meeting the housing needs for the entire community of Ipswich over the Plan period. The proposed garden suburb will be focused around three neighbourhoods, with one district centre, two local centres and associated community infrastructure. Alongside this policy an Ipswich Garden Suburb supplementary planning document (SPD) has been adopted. The SPD will ensure that infrastructure will be delivered alongside new housing including community facilities and the provision of a railway crossing to link potential development phases and ensure integration.
Policy CS20 Key Transport Proposals seeks to encourage more sustainable travel which facilitates greater community cohesion. The proposals set out within the policy seek to mitigate the traffic impacts within Ipswich from the levels of planned growth with the Ipswich Strategic Planning Area. These include measures to enhance the cycling and walking infrastructure network in the Borough including crossing of the river and railway lines to improve connectivity between residential communities and jobs, services or facilities and transport hubs.
Positive impact
The Plan has no policies which seek to prevent community severance specifically, although throughout the plan many policies seek to improve integration across the town with transport improvements and appropriately located new development.
The Plan supports the idea for a potential northern bypass around Ipswich.
Does the plan assess the impact
Yes Policy ISPA2 Strategic Infrastructure
Priorities sets out a commitment for the
Positive impact
9
Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
on demand for and access to healthcare services?
provision of new health facilities, which could
make a major positive contribution towards
ensuring all residents have good access to a
GP surgery and other necessary health
services.
Policy CS19 Provision of Health Services states that new local health facilities such as GP surgeries are acceptable provided that they are located in areas to fill demand and are accessible by all transport modes. The Council seeks to locate potential new, merged or relocated GP practices to the town centre and district and local centres to ensure accessibility and result in less potential disturbance to residential areas from increased trips.
The Plan assesses the demand for and access to healthcare services, with commitments to provide new healthcare facilities and safeguard the existing Heath Road Hospital site.
What impact will the plan have on creating mixed communities with a variety of tenures and uses?
Yes
CS8 Housing Type and Tenure ensures a mix of dwelling types are provided. The Council identifies the mix of housing that would best address the needs of the local population by tenure for Ipswich is 19.5% of housing to be affordable rented and 14.8% affordable home ownership. By the end of the Plan period there is an aim for a tenure mix of 65.9% owner-occupied, 13.8% private rented, 6.3% Shared Ownership and 14% Social Rent/Affordable Rent in the Ipswich HMA.
CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb would deliver a significant quantity of homes that are of a mix and type to support the varied needs of Ipswich’s residents. The provision of open space, services and facilities would help to ensure that residents here are situated within a community and do not feel excluded. Each phase of development will be subject to a cap of 35% affordable housing and a mix of dwelling types, sizes and tenures are provided.
Policy CS12 Affordable Housing ensures a choice of home is available to meet housing needs. The policy sets out strict requirements for amending the tenure mix to ensure integration with market housing.
Positive impact
The Plan identifies key issues including ensuring the delivery of a mix of housing types and tenures. The SA identifies the need to deliver a more diverse range of housing types and consider the changing population on housing supply; increased demand for specialist housing including student accommodation.
What impact will the plan have on addressing local inequalities? Yes
Policy ISPA2 Strategic Infrastructure
Priorities sets out a commitment for the
provision of new health facilities, which could
make a major contribution towards ensuring
existing and new residents have good access
to a GP surgery and other necessary health
services. Depending on the location of this
Positive impact
There is a need to address health inequalities to reduce preventable and unfair differences in health status between local populations.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
provision, it could help to alleviate health
inequalities in the Borough.
Policy CS2 The Location and Nature of
Development ensures the distribution of
homes in relation to services and amenities to
ensure that residents have excellent access
and short distances to travel which can reduce
local inequalities.
Policy CS5 Improving Accessibility ensures
community services and facilities are
accessible for all, helping to reduce the risk of
social exclusion. Environmental improvements
that may result from reducing the need to
travel could reduce air, noise and light
pollution.
Policy CS8 Housing Type and Tenure
ensures the delivery of a varied mix of housing
in the Borough. Inappropriate housing can
result in health problems for residents;
therefore, it is important that people live in
homes that suit their needs.
CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb ensures that
new residents in the proposed Garden Suburb
have access to open spaces and a range of
services.
CS11 Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation
sets out the Council’s commitment to find
additional permanent pitches to meet
additional demand. The plan identifies that
gypsies and travellers experience some of the
worst health across all population groups.
Policy CS17 Delivering Infrastructure
ensures the delivery of new health and
emergency services, as well as open spaces,
whilst improving the accessibility of existing
health facilities.
Policy CS19 Provision of Health Services
would make a major contribution towards
ensuring the health needs and requirements of
Ipswich’s diverse population are met.
Policy DM7 Provision of Private Outdoor Amenity Space in New and Existing Developments ensures that new residential developments provide high quality outdoor amenity space that is well designed and of an appropriate type and amount. New development has the potential to make a
Ipswich has a relatively young population, with high levels of child poverty compared to the average seen for England. The Plan sets out the delivery for new healthcare facilities in areas of demand. Increasing the accessibility of health care facilities can directly improve mental and physical health for all residents in Ipswich.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
positive contribution to the local area and can regenerate sites. The space can also enable greater interaction between neighbours, reducing exclusion.
Policy DM10 Green Corridors seeks the creation and enhancement of green corridors across the Borough which would provide residents with equal access to green space and encourage residents to spend more time outdoors which is proven to have a positive impact on health and well-being.
Does the plan assess the capacity, location and accessibility of other social infrastructure, e.g. schools, social care and community facilities?
Yes
Policy ISPA2 Strategic Infrastructure Priorities sets out a commitment to the delivery of new education facilities to match residential growth. This could help to support higher rates of education and qualifications amongst the young. It would be particularly important in the Borough of Ipswich where the capacity of existing schools is currently under pressure.
Policy ISPA4 Cross-boundary Working to Deliver Sites sets out a commitment to only delivering the proposed development where the necessary infrastructure is provided for, including school places.
Policy CS2 The Location and Nature of Development outlines that all residential development and community facilities will be focused into the town centre, waterfront, Portman Quarter and the Ipswich Garden Suburb – all within walking distance of town or district centres to ensure accessibility of social infrastructure.
Policy CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb provides new educational facilities, including a new primary and secondary school, that would make a contribution to increasing local education capacity.
Policy CS15 Education Provision supports the development, upgrading and new provision of educational facilities.
Positive impact
The Plan sets out a commitment to the delivery of new education facilities and accessible social infrastructure to match residential growth.
This has the potential to increase the quality of social infrastructure provision in the Borough for all residents.
Does the plan explore opportunities for shared community use and co-location of services?
Yes
Policy CS5 Improving Accessibility identifies the requirement for development to be located and designed to minimise the need to travel and to enable access safely and conveniently via sustainable travel methods.
Policy CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb consist of 195 ha of land which will be developed into
Positive impact
The Plan does not make reference to opportunities for shared community use. The co-location of services is identified as an Ipswich
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
a garden suburb consisting of three neighbourhoods. The strategic vision for the site ensures new housing, community facilities and sustainable transport links are provided throughout the development.
Policy DM7 Provision of Private Outdoor Amenity Space in New and Existing Developments ensures that new residential developments provide high quality outdoor amenity space that is well designed and of an appropriate type and amount. The space also enables greater interaction between neighbours.
Policy DM12 Design and Character requires all new development to be well designed and sustainable, including integrating land uses into mixed use developments and neighbourhoods.
Policy DM33 Delivery and expansion of
Digital Communications Networks sets out
the delivery of high quality and reliable
communications to support environmentally
sustainability and enable home and community
working.
Borough Specific Issue within the Plan.
Mixed use developments are shown to aid community cohesion, create local vitality and reduce the need to travel. The Plan requires large schemes such as Ipswich Garden Suburb to provide strategic and neighbourhood infrastructure.
Does the Plan contribute to meeting early years, primary, secondary and post 19 education needs?
Yes
Policy ISPA2 Strategic Infrastructure Priorities sets out a commitment to the delivery of new education facilities to match residential growth. This could help to support higher rates of education and qualifications amongst the young. It would be particularly important in the Borough of Ipswich where the capacity of existing schools is currently under pressure.
Policy CS1 Sustainable Development is designed to ensure the Plan delivers economically, socially and environmentally sustainable development, improving the education and skills of residents to better equip them for the changing economy.
Policy CS2 The Location and Nature of Development aims to ensure all new residents have access to a range of education opportunities to improve their skills and qualifications.
Policy CS3 IP-One Area Action Plan defines and safeguards an Education Quarter to
Positive impact
The Plan seeks to provide a significant quantity of new homes over the Plan period, alongside an increasing population. The increasing number of resident’s places additional demand on education facilities, therefore, requiring improvements to be made to the existing supply and provision of new infrastructure.
Within the wider region of Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal is the identified need to ensure the delivery of education provision in line with growth. The Council recognise that within Ipswich Borough there are insufficient
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
support the development of the University and College, key to improving opportunities for local residents to gain skills and qualifications.
Policy CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb strategic and neighbourhood infrastructure requirement for the development of approximately 3,500 dwellings includes: a 1200 space secondary school (including sixth form facility) and 2FE primary school & nursery in each of the three neighbourhoods. This delivery would be a major contribution towards increasing local education capacity and provide local educational opportunities; encouraging students to travel via sustainable modes.
Policy CS15 Education Provision supports the development, upgrading and new provision of educational facilities. This would contribute to improving the levels of education and skills within the Borough.
Policy CS17 Delivering Infrastructure sets the requirement for all development to meet the on and off-site infrastructure requirements needed to support the development and mitigate impacts on existing communities. Infrastructure includes childcare, early years and education.
The Council shows support for further education with £150m investment in the Education Quarter for the University Campus Suffolk on the Waterfront within Ipswich. The development of this new higher education establishment has also enabled the complete rebuilding of Ipswich's further education facility - Suffolk College
primary and secondary capacity in some areas.
The Plan demonstrates the continued investment and provision for early years, primary, secondary and post 19 education needs.
Access to Open Space and Nature
Does the plan retain and enhance existing open and natural spaces?
Yes
Policy ISPA3 Cross-boundary Mitigation of Effects on Protected Habitats and Species highlights the protection and enhancement of European sites across the Borough.
Policy ISPA4 Cross-boundary Working to Deliver Sites outlines the provision of a ‘green rim’ walking and cycling route around the edge of Ipswich, to contribute positively to existing open and natural spaces.
Policy CS1 Sustainable Development commits the Council to a positive approach to protecting the Borough’s biodiversity.
Positive impact
The Plan recognises the value of open space for the health and wellbeing of residents in Ipswich. The Council, therefore, seeks to protect existing open and natural spaces from development.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
Policy CS2 The Location and Nature of Development seeks to ensure that a significant proportion of development would be situated on brownfield land and therefore could avoid the loss of encroaching on open and natural space. Additionally, development would predominantly be directed towards existing urban locations away from sensitive and protected areas. Due to the level of growth some development is expected on current open space.
Policy CS16 Green Infrastructure, Sport and Recreation ensures that open spaces will be protected and enhanced. In so doing, local residents may be encouraged to enjoy outdoor spaces, green spaces and a diverse range of natural habitats. This is beneficial to mental wellbeing and may lead to higher rates of walking and cycling.
Policy DM5 Protection of Open Spaces, Sport and Recreation seeks the protection of open spaces with strict criteria for development involving the loss of open space.
In areas of deficiency, does the plan provide new open or natural space, or improve access to existing spaces?
Yes
Policy CS16 Green Infrastructure, Sport and Recreation requires all development to contribute to the provision of open space according to the Borough’s standards. The policy identifies that it supports proposals or activities that protect, enhance or extend open spaces.
Policy DM6 Provision of New Open Spaces, Sport and Recreation Facilitates requires developments of 10 or more dwellings to provide open space, sport and recreation facilities. This would help to ensure that all new residents are able to access community facilities.
Policy DM7 Provision of Private Outdoor Amenity Space in New and Existing Developments ensures that new residential development delivers high quality and environmentally sustainable living environments, including the provision of private outdoor amenity space. In existing development, proposals to reduce the amount of outdoor amenity space to an area below appropriate standards will be refused.
Positive impact
The Council considers the provision of high quality private outdoor amenity space an essential component in residential dwellings. High-quality outdoor amenity spaces can make a meaningful contribution to good mental wellbeing.
Does the plan provide a range of
Yes Policy CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb will provide neighbourhood parks, allotments &
Positive impact
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
good quality play and exercise spaces for children and young people?
open spaces with equipped sports & play facilities.
Policy CS15 Education Provision outlines the support for upgrading existing educational facilities and supplying additional services. The location of new nurseries and schools is encouraged to be within district and local centres to encourage walking and cycling to school.
Policy CS16 Green Infrastructure, Sport and Recreation works to protect open spaces and provide new outdoor recreational spaces for sports activities which would encourage more active lifestyles.
Policy CS17 Delivering Infrastructure identifies the importance of providing children’s play areas within new developments.
Policy DM12 Design and Character aims to encourage Ipswich residents to adopt sustainable and healthy lifestyles by ensuring that new developments offer opportunities to be naturally active and promote physical activity, walking and cycling.
Policy DM6 Provision of New Open Spaces, Sport and Recreation Facilities requires developments of 10 or more dwellings to provide open space, sport and recreation facilities. This would help to ensure that all new residents are able to access good quality play and exercise spaces. This policy ensures that small children’s play areas are secure at night and spaces aimed at young people consider comments made by the Designing Out Crime Officer. This policy links with the Ipswich Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study, Play Strategy and emerging Indoor Sports Facility Strategy and Playing Pitch Strategy.
Parks, open space and play facilities are identified as key community facilities in district and local centres.
Provision for children e.g. Local Areas of Play, Local Equipped Areas for Play and Neighbourhood Equipped Areas for Play – LEAPs, NEAPs and DEAPs quantity standard is 0.08ha per 1000 population and accessible by a 10-minute walk.
The Plan sets out the need for allocations for new children’s play areas.
The Plan does not make reference to ‘exercise space’, although identifies that Ipswich has the lowest levels of physical activity in the region. Therefore, the Plan could go further to encourage residents to part take in physical activity.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
Provision for young people e.g. teen shelters, multi-use games areas is for 0.04ha per 1000 population and accessible by a 15 minute walk.
Does the plan protect/allocate land for new sports facilities – indoor and outdoor – as needed?
Yes
Policy CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb infrastructure requirement includes new sports facilities within the development.
Policy CS15 Education Provision ensures that sports facilities associated within the new secondary school in Ipswich Garden Suburb will be available for community use.
Policy CS16 Green Infrastructure, Sport and Recreation sets out to review the town’s sports facilities to consider how they can best meet the needs of a growing population.
Policy DM6 Provision of New Open Spaces, Sport and Recreation Facilitates requires residential developments of 10 or more dwellings and non-residential developments of 1,000 sq.m to provide open space, sport and recreation facilities.
Policy DM7 Provision of Private Outdoor Amenity Space in New and Existing Developments ensures that new residential developments provide high quality outdoor amenity space that is well designed and of an appropriate type and amount.
The Plan identifies within the Major Infrastructure Proposals for new sports, leisure and recreation facilities:
- replacement or refurbishment of swimming pool / leisure complex
- possible rationalisation of sports facilities at GainsBorough Sports Centre
The proposal aims to support growth, enhance health and quality of life, and support greener lifestyles and green transport.
Positive impact
The Plan protects and provides provision for new indoor and outdoor sports facilities following growth. The Plan also sets out replacement or refurbishment for existing facilities to comply with policy requirements.
Does the plan ensure that buildings are designed to maximise participation in physical activity? (e.g. prominent stairwell positioning,
Yes
Policy CS5 Improving Accessibility sets out to ensure new developments are accessible without increasing congestion. The Council is developing a parking strategy with the aim to address the quantity and quality of cycle parking provision in the town.
Policy CS15 Education Provision would require the sports facilities associated with educational facilities to be made accessible to
Positive impact
The Plan seeks to promote participation in physical activity by ensuring new developments integrate cycle storage within the development, therefore, increasing opportunities for cycling. The Plan
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
prominent and secure cycle parking)
the public. This would help to facilitate active lifestyles and socialisation for local residents.
Policy DM5 Protection of Open Spaces, Sports and Recreation sets out provision to retain sport and recreation facilities ensuring residents have access and thereby, pursue active lifestyles.
Policy DM6 Provision of New Open Spaces, Sport and Recreation Facilities requires developments of 10 or more dwellings to provide open space, sport and recreation facilities. This would help to ensure that all new residents are able to access open spaces to enable participation in physical activity.
DM12 Design and Character aims to promote and encourage Ipswich residents to adopt healthy lifestyles, a key part of which is physical activity. The Council aims to ensure that new developments offer opportunities to be naturally active and promote physical activity, walking and cycling in accordance with Sport England’s Active Design guidance.
Policy DM19 The Subdivision of Family Dwellings outlines the space requirements for any property seeking to be subdivided. The policy includes provision for sufficient car parking and secure, lit bicycle storage.
Policy DM21 Car and Cycle Parking in New Development requires all new developments to comply with adopted standards and provide high quality, secure cycle storage.
Within non-residential developments of more than 1,000 sq.m or where more than 50 people will be employed, high quality shower facilities and lockers are required. These facilities are also encouraged in minor non-residential developments.
Overall, cycle parking across the Borough is required to be secure, sheltered, conveniently located, adequately lit, step-free and accessible. The design of the car parking must also not dominate the development or street scene which has potential to encourage private car travel.
The is no minimum requirement for residential developments to provide car parking within the IP-One Area due to frequent and extensive public transport networks. Standards for residential parking
includes various policies to ensure community facilities are accessible to the public with the aim of promoting active travel to these destinations. Overall, the plan seeks to promote physical activity, although could further outline policies to maximise resident participation in physical activity with conditions to reduce car parking and invest in secure and covered cycle parking.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
within IP-One will be identified through the Low Emissions Strategy Supplementary Planning Document, which is under preparation.
Does the plan address the need for wheelchair and pushchair access to open spaces (e.g. parks, play areas, natural spaces, sports fields?) Yes
Policy CS16 Green Infrastructure, Sport and Recreation outlines the Council’s view to ensure that the parks and open spaces are well designed, well managed, safe and freely accessible, encouraging use and benefiting the whole community. The policy seeks to promote improved access to existing facilities where appropriate.
DM12 Design and Character requires new developments to be well designed and sustainable.
Positive impact
The Plan seeks to protect and enhance the variety of open spaces, parks and recreation facilities, considering them an essential part of the Borough’s infrastructure and character. The Plan highlights the importance for open spaces to be accessible for everyone, however, does not set out specific accessibility requirements.
Does the plan protect and enhance biodiversity?
Yes
Policy ISPA4 Cross-boundary Working to Deliver Sites outlines the provision of a ‘green rim’ around Ipswich contributing positively to the enhancement of strategic green infrastructure to deliver benefits to both people and biodiversity and to help new developments deliver biodiversity net gain.
Policy CS1 Sustainable Development commits the Council to a positive approach of approving development proposals where they accord with Local Plan policies. A range of policies in the Plan are dedicated towards protecting the Borough’s biodiversity. This will therefore help to ensure that, in most cases, development only arises where it avoids adverse impacts, or leads to positive impacts, on the value of biodiversity in Ipswich, such as by creating a green infrastructure network across previously derelict brownfield land or avoiding development in proximity to European sites.
Policy CS2 The Location and Nature of Development seeks to ensure that the majority of development will be situated on brownfield land to avoid the loss of priority habitats. The policy aims to ensure that development be directed towards existing urban locations away from sensitive and protected biodiversity assets such as SACs
Positive impact
Overall, the Plan could make a major positive contribution towards the protection and enhancement of biodiversity and geodiversity in Ipswich. The Plan outlines multiple policies which seek the protection, promotion and enhancement of biodiversity.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
and SSSIs. However, a limited portion of development would be situated on greenfield land and as a result there would be some degree of loss of structures such as trees and hedgerow that could be supporting protected species. In some cases, development would also be expected to be in proximity to county wildlife sites, such as the River Orwell, for which the impacts of construction could pose a risk of harm.
Policy CS3 IP-One Area Action Plan highlights the provision of tree planting and urban greening schemes would likely help enhance the biodiversity value.
Policy CS4 Protecting our Assets sets out protection for existing biodiversity assets as well as a commitment to new nature reserves. The biodiversity value of green infrastructure such as trees will be protected from harm and supported by increased canopies
Policy CS16 Green Infrastructure, Sport and Recreation ensures that open spaces and park will be protected, and biodiversity enhanced. The policy further states that it will extend the ecological network and green corridors, open spaces, sport and recreation facilities for the benefit of biodiversity.
Policy CS17 Delivering Infrastructure seeks to deliver green infrastructure provision and aims to better connect the ecological network which in turn protects biodiversity and local wildlife.
Policy DM7 Provision of Private Outdoor Amenity Space in New and Existing Developments identifies the high biodiversity value and importance in biodiversity protection that gardens have, in particular when considering the cumulative value of multiple residential gardens.
Policy DM8 The Natural Environment protects particularly sensitive biodiverse assets such as SACs, SPAs, SSSIs, LNRs and CWSs. The policy also proposes to protect priority habitats and species and to help establish a coherent ecological network throughout the Borough. Policy DM8 would also help to ensure that new development enhances biodiversity value as well as ecological connectivity.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
Policy DM9 Protection of Trees and Hedgerows provides protection to trees, hedgerows and woodlands, including Ancient Woodland, in the Borough, which are essential havens of wildlife and biodiversity.
Policy DM10 Green Trails identifies the importance of inter-connected green corridors to support a diverse range of species.
Policy DM11 Countryside identifies that land in the countryside is typically of relatively high biodiversity value due to the existing presence of habitats, structures and good soils and reduced human disturbance. Policy DM11 would help to ensure that these areas are protected from development and, in so doing, would help to protect areas of good biodiversity value.
Air Quality, Noise and Neighbourhood Amenity
Does the plan set out a strategy to reduce and mitigate the effects of poor air quality and air pollution? (e.g. from increased motor traffic, industrial developments)
Yes
Policy ISAP1 Growth in the Ipswich Strategic Planning Area seeks the construction of several thousand new homes, jobs and associated infrastructure which could potentially worsen air quality in some locations in the Borough.
Policy ISPA2 Strategic Infrastructure Priorities proposes a range of sustainable transport mode improvements, including increased capacity via rail and improved cycle routes, particularly for Ipswich. This would be expected to help reduce rates of air pollution associated with road transport in the Borough.
Policy ISPA4 Cross-boundary Working to Deliver Sites could facilitate the delivery of relatively high rates of public transport uptake and walking and cycling for new residents. However, this policy could also facilitate the delivery of new development in relatively rural locations. It is considered likely that the construction and occupation of new homes in these locations would lead to a net increase in air pollution, such as that associated with road transport.
Policy CS5 Improving Accessibility seeks to increase usage in sustainable transport modes, in which higher rates of walking and cycling may help to reduce air pollution.
Policies CS13 and CS14 seek the delivery of new employment and retail opportunities. This
Neutral impact
Overall, the Plan seeks to deliver significant development. The construction and occupation of new homes and employment facilities will likely lead to changes in air pollution and air quality.
Currently, across multiple areas of the town centre congestion is a key issue. The Plan seeks to increase movement by sustainable travel and locate services in proximity to residents.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
would likely lead to a net increase in air pollution, likely due to associated increases in road transport from increased motor traffic, particularly in urban areas.
Policy CS16 Green Infrastructure, Sport and Recreation seeks to protect and enhance open spaces in the Borough. The provision and enhancement of the GI network would help to filter out air pollutants in many locations and this would reduce the likelihood of harmful health impacts caused by poor air quality.
Policy DM3 Air Quality would be expected to help lead to an improvement in air quality in some locations of the Borough, as well as to help direct new residents towards locations that are not exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution, such as that associated with road transport. This could help to protect the long-term health of residents from harm caused by air pollution. This may particularly be the case for more deprived areas, which are typically more central and dealing with worse air quality, and thus this policy could help combat health inequalities. New development would be situated away from AQMAs.
Policy DM19 The Subdivision of Family Dwellings ensures that development involving the conversion of houses into flats, bedsits or houses in multiple occupation will be permitted, although car parking provision is identified as a key issue in relation to approval. Sufficient car parking must be provided in accordance with the standards.
Policy DM20 Transport and Access in New Development seeks to reduce the impact of traffic congestion, and not allow new development to have an severe impact on the highway network
Policy DM21 Car and Cycle Parking in New Development ensures all new development to be compliant with adopted standards of car and cycle parking. Reduced maximum standards of car parking provision are outlined for residential development within the IP-One Area, only operational car parking will be permitted within the central car parking core and non-residential long-stay car parks will not be permitted.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
Does the plan address the need to minimise construction impacts (e.g. dust, congestion, construction noise)
Yes
DM1 Sustainable Construction requires new residential development to meet a high standard of environmental sustainability, with stated CO2 emissions targets, water efficiency standards and incorporated sustainable drainage. The Council also encourages non-residential development of 500 sq.m and above to achieve a minimum of BREEAM Very Good standard or equivalent.
The Council encourage applicants to consider achieving a high Housing Quality Mark rating to demonstrate a home’s performance in terms of a number of factors including energy use, running costs, air quality, noise, accessibility to amenities, fast and secure internet access and the ease of use of the home by the occupants.
DM18 Amenity seeks to protect the quality of life of occupiers and neighbours. The policy identifies the potential risk of odour, fumes and dust generated from construction or demolition activities.
The wider area of Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal identify the need to ensure that the built environment adapts to the impact of climate change and extreme weather events. Within Ipswich Borough the Council identifies the need to ensure sustainable construction techniques and green infrastructure are employed to mitigate climate change and address fuel poverty.
Positive impact
The Plan sets out to deliver significant housing and jobs growth across the Plan period alongside associated infrastructure. Therefore, it is important to deliver this infrastructure without significant negative impacts on the amenity of existing residents. The Plan sets out the requirement for construction to meet environmentally sustainable targets and seeks to reduce the risk of odour and dust.
Does the plan address noise pollution?
Yes
Policy CS5 Improving Accessibility seeks to increase usage in sustainable transport modes, in which higher rates of walking and cycling may help to reduce noise pollution due to less vehicle traffic.
Policy DM6 Provision of New Open Spaces, Sports and Recreation Facilities ensures new developments provide high quality open spaces which can provide a buffer against noise pollution.
Policy DM18 Amenity seeks to protect the quality of life of occupiers and neighbours by only granting permission for development that does not result in an unacceptable loss of amenity including noise and vibration levels.
Policy DM28 The Evening and Night-time Economy sets out requirements for appropriate ventilation and management of
Neutral impact
The Plan recognises the importance of noise pollution for the amenity of residents.
The Plan seeks to deliver significant housing development across the Borough which will involve construction activity that could result in localised changes to noise levels.
The Plan incorporates a range of policies which seek to reduce and address noise pollution from a variety of sources.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
pollution, as well as litter, from night-time economy-based businesses. This could help to protect the quality of residential environments from harm caused by the night-time economy, such as unacceptable levels of noise pollution.
Does the plan address odour?
Yes
Policy DM6 Provision of New Open Spaces, Sports and Recreation Facilities ensures new developments provide high quality open spaces which can provide a buffer against pollution.
Policy DM18 Amenity seeks to protect the quality of life of occupiers and neighbours by only granting permission for development that does not result in an unacceptable loss of amenity including that arising from odour.
Positive impact
The Plan aims to ensure that existing and new residential properties provide an attractive living environment for current and future occupiers by preventing an unacceptable loss of amenity including the risk of odour.
Does the plan address water quality?
Yes
Policy ISPA2 sets out a commitment to improving the water supply and treatment capacity in the area. This would be likely to help enhance water quality in some locations.
Policy CS1 Sustainable Development seeks to deliver new development across the Borough through sustainable means, which would aim to reduce adverse effects on water quality.
Policy CS2 The Location and Nature of Development seeks to regenerate and deliver sustainable growth in the Borough.
Policy DM4 Development Flood Risk requires water efficiency measures such as rainwater harvesting or land drainage, as well as the application of SuDS. This would contribute to a more sustainable use of water resources and help protect water quality throughout the Borough.
The cross-boundary Water Cycle Study (2019) between Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk Coastal District Council identified that Ipswich is within an area of serious water stress.
Neutral impact
The Plan sets out to deliver significant housing and jobs growth, increasing the net consumption of water in the Borough.
The construction and operation of the residential and employment sites have the potential to pose a risk to water quality.
Accessibility and Active Travel
Does the plan prioritise and encouraging walking? (e.g. wide safe streets, traffic calming.)
Yes
Policy ISPA2 Strategic Infrastructure Priorities outlines how the Council will work with partners to deliver sustainable transport measures in Ipswich and improve walking routes.
Positive impact
The Plan actively seeks to encourage walking in the Borough with multiple policies requiring the provision for new residential
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
Policy CS5 Improving Accessibility outlines that development should be located and designed to minimise the need to travel and to enable access safely and conveniently by foot. Travel Ipswich includes a detailed programme of improvements to walking routes and crossings in and around the town centre.
Policy CS8 Housing Type and Tenure seeks to ensure new homes are situated in appropriate locations in proximity to services, facilities and amenities to encourage residents to walk to access these services.
Policy CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb requires that a major portion of new residents live within proximity to services, amenities, jobs, schools and open spaces. This is likely to encourage rates of walking.
Policy CS20 Key Transport Proposal outlines the support for sustainable travel measures in Ipswich. The policy identifies measures to prioritise pedestrians in Ipswich town centre and facilitate more walking in the Borough with increased connectivity between residential communities and jobs, services and facilities.
Policy DM8 The Natural Environment ensures that the Borough’s residents are able to access greenspaces and a diverse range of natural habitats at Local Nature Reserves and Wildlife Sites. Access to high quality outdoor environments encourages higher rates of walking.
development to be within walking distance of services, amenities and facilities.
The Plan does not identify specific traffic network measures such as wide paved streets and traffic calming initiatives.
Does the plan prioritise and encourage cycling? (e.g. provision of cycle lanes, cycle parking, showers and lockers.)
Yes
Policy ISPA2 Strategic Infrastructure Priorities outlines the provision for improved cycle routes which could facilitate a higher proportion of residents to cycle, leading to more active lifestyles.
Policy CS5 Improving Accessibility outlines that development should be located and designed to minimise the need to travel and to enable access safely and conveniently by bicycle.
The policy sets out how the Council will work with the Highway Authority to maximise sustainable transport solutions and in doing so will prioritise the development of an integrated cycle network.
Travel Ipswich comprises a range of sustainable travel measures including a
Positive impact
The Plan actively seeks to encourage cycling in the Borough with multiple policies requiring the provision for new residential development to have excellent access to cycling routes.
The Plan goes on to stress that the development of an integrated cycle network is a priority.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
programme of improvements to cycle routes and crossings in and around the town centre.
Policy CS20 Key Transport Proposal outlines the support for improved cycle routes by supporting measures to facilitate cycling in and across the Borough. The policy also aims to prioritise cyclists in Ipswich town centre.
Policy DM10 Green Corridors states that the creation and enhancement of green corridors would encourage higher rates of cycling.
Does the plan connect public realm and internal routes within developments to local and strategic cycle and walking networks?
Yes
Policy ISPA1 Growth in the Ipswich Strategic Planning Area sets out the Council’s commitment to delivering 35,334 dwellings and 33,690 jobs across the ISPA by 2036. Development across the Borough is likely to enhance the public realm in many locations.
Policy CS2 The Location and Nature of Development seeks to ensure that development demonstrates high quality design.
Policy CS14 Retail Development and Main Town Centre Uses highlights the promotion of environmental enhancements and urban greening to the town centre through the Public Realm Strategy Supplementary Planning Document and improved public transport accessibility.
Policy CS17 Delivering Infrastructure would improve the efficiency of transport in Ipswich, thereby enabling more sustainable travel for residents.
Policy CS20 Key Transport Proposals would improve the efficiency of transport in Ipswich, thereby enabling more sustainable travel for residents and those visiting Ipswich. It would also facilitate the provision of railway crossings, thereby better connecting residential areas with jobs and services and improving pedestrian linkages
Policy DM6 Provision of New Open Spaces, Sports and Recreation Facilities aspires to deliver high-quality spaces and facilities, contributing towards a high quality public realm.
Policy DM10 Green Trails would help to create a sense of place and provide an attractive and appealing character to areas
Positive impact
The Plan actively seeks to connect sustainable travel routes across the Borough to provide an integrated network of walking and cycling opportunities.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
throughout the Borough. A further aspect will be the creation of routes across the Borough ensuring residents can access services and jobs via foot and cycle.
Does the plan include measures for traffic calming and the reduction of road traffic injures?
Yes
Policy CS20 Key Transport Proposals outlines proposals to mitigate the traffic impacts within Ipswich from planned growth. The policy seeks to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists in Ipswich town centre to minimise interaction between vehicles and more vulnerable road users such as cyclists. Detailed proposals, including those for additional infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, are included in the Site Allocations and Policies (incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) Development Plan Document. A Cycling Strategy Supplementary Planning Document has been adopted by the Council.
Policy DM20: Transport and Access in New Developments seeks to promote sustainable growth in Ipswich and reduce the impact of traffic congestion. New development must not result in a severe impact on the highway network or unacceptable impact on highway safety, either individually or cumulatively. The policy also requires safe and convenient access to public transport within 400m and ensure safe and suitable access for all users, including people with disabilities and reduced mobility.
Positive impact
The Plan provides a range of sustainable travel measures to encourage sustainable travel. A key part of the transport proposals involves enhancing the Borough’s public transport network as well as improving pedestrian and cycle route.
Evidence suggests that people are more likely to use improved active travel routes due to a greater sense of safety and accessibility.
The Plan itself does not include any measures for traffic calming or to specifically reduce the number of traffic injuries. However, with improved cycle infrastructure, cyclists are likely to feel significantly safer on the road network.
Does the plan seek to reduce car use? (e.g. locating developments close to local facilities.)
Yes
Policy ISPA4 Cross-boundary Working to Deliver Sites could help to situate new residents in proximity to walking and cycling routes that provide good access into central areas, therefore, reducing car usage.
Policy CS5 Improving Accessibility outlines that development should be located and designed to minimise the need to travel and to enable access safely and conveniently on foot, by bicycle and by public transport (bus and rail).
Policy CS8 Housing Type and Tenure seeks to ensure new homes are situated in appropriate locations in proximity to services, facilities and amenities. This seeks to reduce car dependency and car use as residents have quicker, cheaper and more sustainable methods of travel open to them.
Positive impact
Overall, the Plan seeks to reduce car use, by ensuring new residential developments are situated in proximity to services. Further, there is increased investment in sustainable travel modes.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
Policy CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb requires the development to ensure the majority of homes are located in proximity to services, amenities, jobs, schools and open spaces. This will enable residents to use more sustainable methods of travel and reduce car use. It is noted that access to Westerfield Railway Station is currently limited and provision for new bus links in the suburb are also currently uncertain. The proposed garden suburb includes a new road to help alleviate congestion in certain areas of the Borough and to provide residents with access to locations throughout and beyond Ipswich.
Policy CS11 requires new gypsy, traveller, travelling show-people and boat dwellers accommodation to be accessible via foot, cycle and vehicle. The policy seeks to allocate predominantly brownfield sites; residents on these sites are intended to be able to travel efficiently and via relatively sustainable modes of transport.
Does the plan promote the provision and enhancement of access to public transport network (e.g. bus and rail)
Yes
Policy ISPA1 Growth in the Ipswich Strategic Planning Area seeks the construction of several thousand new homes, jobs and associated infrastructure. Dependent on the distribution of this development is whether public transport links to bus and rail are accessible.
Policy ISPA2 Strategic Infrastructure Priorities outlines how the Council will work with partners to deliver sustainable transport measures in Ipswich and increase capacity on railway lines for passenger travel.
Policy CS5 Improving Accessibility outlines that development should be located and designed to minimise the need to travel and to enable access safely and conveniently on public transport (bus and rail).
Policy CS17 Delivering Infrastructure ensures the enhancement of public transport networks including bus and rail. Improvements to the public transport system including a greater frequency of services and route provision is likely to increase usage due to that method being the most cost and time effective.
Positive impact
The Plan promotes the provision and enhancement of access to public transport networks with a multitude of policies seeking to increase patronage. Enhancing the public transport network increases the accessibility of the area, in particular providing better access to jobs, training and educational opportunities as well as health, leisure and community facilities.
Does the plan address the needs of people
Yes Policy CS5 Improving Accessibility recognises that some journeys will need to be made by car. The policy aims to ensure the
Positive impact
The Plan recognises that some journeys will need to
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
who are car dependent? (e.g. people with mobility problems.)
accessibility of the town centre and individual buildings and developments by people whose mobility is impaired.
be made by car particularly for those with mobility difficulties.
The Plan will have a minor positive impact on the health and wellbeing of residents as the Council aims to maximise sustainable travel while maintaining infrastructure for car travel.
Does the plan allow people with mobility problems or a disability to access buildings and places?
Yes
Policy CS5 Improving Accessibility aims to ensure the accessibility of the town centre and individual buildings and developments by people whose mobility is impaired.
Policy DM12 Design and Character identifies the importance of design and how the area functions as its purpose. The policy ensures that development will help create safe and secure communities, useable and easily understood for all people.
Positive impact
The Plan recognises the importance for the built environment to be accessible by people whose mobility is impaired or with other health problems.
Does the plan protect and enhance public rights of way?
Yes
Policy DM20 Transport and Access in New Developments promotes sustainable growth in Ipswich. The Council recognises the value of the Public Rights of Way network as a means to reduce traffic, connect areas and provide an opportunity for recreation and social interaction in the natural environment.
Positive impact
The Plan protects public rights of way and states that developments will not be permitted unless they can demonstrate how the network is enhanced or protected.
Crime Reduction and Community Safety
Does the plan incorporate elements to help design out crime? (e.g. reducing opportunities for people to commit crime and creating safe and unintimidating environments.)
Yes
Policy ISPA2 Strategic Infrastructure Priorities aims to create healthy living environments aiming to improve community interaction levels and in turn lead to natural surveillance, a reduction in the fear of crime and potential reduction in actual crime.
Policy CS3 IP-One Area Action Plan aims to situate residents within high-quality and distinctive neighbourhoods where natural surveillance may permit reduced crime rates and reduce the fear of crime.
Policy CS10: Ipswich Garden Suburb is an effective means of situating a large portion of new residents within an attractive and distinctive neighbourhood with public open spaces and infrastructure that may be likely to
Positive impact
Encouraging residents to spend more time outdoors due to a higher quality public realm, play spaces and community facilities is likely to lead to greater natural surveillance, a reduction in the fear of crime and a potential reduction in actual crime rates.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
enable higher rates of natural surveillance and thus lower crime rates. The provision of a police station within the suburb would also make a contribution towards the safety of residents.
Policy DM6 Provision of New Open Spaces, Sports and Recreation ensures new developments provide high quality open spaces which can help to reduce the risk of crime from greater natural surveillance and public usage.
Policy DM10 Green Trails seeks the creation and enhancement of green corridors which have the potential to encourage residents to spend more time outdoors, thereby resulting in an increase in natural surveillance.
Policy DM12 Design and Character requires new developments to be well designed, with the public realm used to help create safe and secure communities.
Does the plan include attractive, multi-use public spaces and buildings?
Yes
Policy CS2 The Location and Nature of Development seeks to meet the need for development in locations where people can easily access jobs, goods and services. A key aspect of the policy requires development to demonstrate principles of high-quality architecture and urban design to enhance the public realm. The policy focuses major new development within the town centre within Portman Quarter, Waterfront and district centres, in which development incorporates a mix of uses to help achieve integrated, vibrant and sustainable communities. This policy seeks to maximise opportunities to re-use previously developed land and ensure the effective and efficient use of land.
Policy CS14: Retail Development and Main Town Centre Uses seeks to ensure high quality investment and development occurs in Ipswich Central Shopping Area. The policy outlines the Council’s will to work with Ipswich Central, landowners and other partners to develop an active strategy to bring vacant premises in the town centre back into active use and make vacant premises look more visually attractive.
Policy DM6: Provision of New Open Spaces, Sports and Recreation requires all new residential development of 10 dwellings or more (or on sites of 0.5ha) or more) to
Positive impact
The Plan includes various policies to ensure attractive, multi-use public spaces and buildings within the Borough.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
provide high quality open spaces. The policy requires public green spaces to be meaningful, usable, not overlooked and distributed throughout the site.
Policy DM12 Design and Character requires new developments to be well designed. New development layouts must provide a safe and attractive public realm capable of being used by all. The public realm area is required to integrate residential, working and community environments which fit well with adjoining areas. The policy requires proposals to ensure good public realm design that enhances the streetscape, protects and reinforces a sense of place, ensures good architectural design, is accessible and designed for long life being capable of adaptation to changing needs and uses over time, including the principles of dementia friendly design.
Policy DM24: Shopfront Design recognises the role the shop front plays in creating an attractive and vibrant area.
Policy DM28 The Evening and Night-time Economy recognises the importance for evening activities to help maintain a strong and successful town centre and extend movement beyond normal working hours. This can make town centres more attractive places to live and work.
Has engagement and consultation been carried out with the local community?
Yes
The Ipswich Local Plan references the ongoing nature of consultation with relevant stakeholders throughout the Plan period.
Policy CS11: Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation ensures provision will be found within the Ipswich Borough where possible for additional permanent pitches to meet the need for 27 permanent pitches to 2036, as identified through the Gypsy, Traveller, Travelling Showpeople and Boat Dwellers Accommodation Needs Assessment 2017. To ensure the needs of the gypsy and traveller communities are meet, site identification will be carried in consultation with them.
Positive impact
The Local Plan follows the national statutory requirement in
The Localism Act (2011) which requires public bodies a ‘Duty to Co-operate’ on planning issues that cross administrative boundaries.
For the Ipswich Local Plan, a Duty to Co-operate Statement has been prepared alongside the draft Core Strategy Review and the draft Site Allocations and Policies (incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) Development Plan Document.
Consultation allows residents the opportunity to ensure
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
that their views are incorporated into the long term strategy for the Borough.
Access to Healthy Food
Is there a range of retail uses, including food stores and smaller affordable shops for social enterprises?
Yes
The Plan includes a series of policies relating to retail provision across the Borough. Policies do not specifically reference the affordably of retail units or units for social enterprise; policies seek to retain retail units which help ensure a supply and mix of units.
Policy CS10: Ipswich Garden Suburb consists of 195ha of land which will be developed into three neighbourhoods as a garden suburb. The site will include a maximum of 2,000 sq.m of convenience shopping which includes a medium/large supermarket within the district centre within Fonnereau Neighbourhood and up to 1,220 sq.m of comparison shopping. The two local centres will provide smaller convenience retail, comparison retail and services floorspace.
Policy CS14: Retail Development and Main Town Centre Uses The Council aims to promote high quality investment and development in Ipswich Central Shopping Area. The Council will allocate land for 10,000 sq.m of new comparison retail floorspace up to 2031. In district and local centres, the Council will encourage retail development of a scale appropriate to their size, function and catchment. The delivery of additional floorspace has the potential to diversify the retail offer.
The Ipswich Retail and Commercial Leisure Study (2017) identified a need for improved food and drink uses within the town centre, prioritised outside the primary shopping zone.
Policy DM29: District and Local Centres ensures the protection and provision of local shops within defined district and local centres. The policy highlights that food stores in district and local centres should not exceed 1,500 sq.m so as not to divert retail away from the town centre.
Positive impact
Enhancing the facilities available in district centres can help to provide more choice for local residents within walking distance of their homes.
Does the plan address the over concentration of
Yes N/A Neutral impact
The Plan does not make any reference to fast food or
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
fast food / unhealthy food outlets in a single area, in particular along school routes?
unhealthy food outlets. No provisions are identified to prevent or address over concentration of fast food outlets.
Will the plan restrict the local food supply being monopolised by a single provider?
Yes
Policy DM29: District and Local Centres ensures the protection and provision of local shops within defined district and local centres. The policy highlights that food stores in district and local centres should not exceed 1,500 sq.m so as not to divert retail away from the town centre.
Policy DM30: Town Centre Uses Outside the Central Shopping Area supports leisure, recreation, culture and tourism development, highlighting this area before edge or out of centre locations.
Policy DM31: Retail Proposals Outside Defined Centres ensures retail proposals for more than 200 sq.m net floorspace in locations outside defined centres will only be permitted if the proposal can be demonstrated to be acceptable under the terms of the NPPF. Large food stores including supermarkets and superstores apply to Policy DM30, as they are not defined a centres.
Positive impact
All district centres contain a supermarket to provide day-to-day convenience need for local residents. The Plan ensures a balanced approach to retain shops but also restrict the local food supply from being monopolised by a single provider.
Are allotments, growing land and gardens protected and new sites allocated where there is a deficit?
Policy CS1 Sustainable Development identifies the popularity of ‘growing your own food’ on allotments.
Policy CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb requires the new development to include significant green infrastructure including allotments.
Policy DM10 Green Trails seeks to establish and enhance green corridors within the Borough, referencing the protection of the Bramford Lane Allotments.
Allotments are identified within the typology of open spaces, sport and recreation facilities, requiring 0.41 ha per 1000 population. Additionally, the Council should have a waiting list to indicate demand.
Positive impact
The Plan aims to work with the Allotment Strategy to provide sufficient allotment land within the Borough.
Does the plan promote access to community based healthy
Yes
The Plan makes no reference to community based healthy eating initiatives such as
Positive impact
33
Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
eating initiatives (e.g. Growing Projects, Community Cafes, Healthy Food Cooperatives, etc)
Growing Projects, Community Cafes or Healthy Food Cooperatives.
Policy CS1 Sustainable Development highlights the increasing popularity in 'growing your own' on allotments.
Policy DM7 Provision of Private Outdoor Amenity Space in New and Existing Developments The Council considers that the provision of high quality private outdoor amenity space for all types of new residential development is an essential component of high quality design and provides opportunities for socialising and gardening (flowers and food).
Access to Work and Training
Does the plan provide access to local employment and training opportunities, including temporary construction and permanent ‘end-use’ jobs?
Yes
Policy ISPA1 Growth in the Ipswich Strategic Planning Area sets out the creation of at least 9,500 jobs through the provision of at least 28.42 ha of employment land across the Ipswich Functional Economic Area.
Policy CS13 Planning for Jobs Growth focuses on the delivery of jobs within the Borough. Over the Plan period the provision for approximately 9,500 jobs is expected. The policy ensures that land is allocated for employment generating land, including education purposes and the continued growth of the University of Suffolk. It is considered that the creation of new businesses and jobs will be facilitated by this policy, as well as educational facilities, thus helping residents and employees to gain new skills, qualifications and ‘end-use’ jobs.
Policy CS15: Education Provision identifies the importance of high quality education provision to enhance qualification and skill levels in the workforce.
Policy DM32 Protection of Employment Land outlines the list of safeguarded Employment Areas within the Borough.
Positive impact
The Council seeks the delivery of sustainable economic growth, in which approximately 9,500 jobs in the Borough should be created. The Plan identifies the importance for coordinated action to protect local jobs.
The Plan has the potential to provide more training opportunities, temporary and permanent jobs following the Plan job creation and protection of employment land policies.
Does the plan provide diverse, accessible employment opportunities appropriate to the skill sets present
Yes
Policy CS13 Planning for Jobs Growth supports the continued growth of the University of Suffolk and Suffolk New College, to raise skills and qualifications.
Policy CS14 Retail Development and Main Town Centre Uses ensures the provision for retail space in the Borough, which has the
Positive impact
The Plan seeks to create 9,500 jobs over the Plan period alongside ensuring the education needs of the population are met.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
in the local community?
potential to enhance employment opportunities for local residents.
Policy CS15 Education Provision delivers the provision of new educational facilities and upgrading of existing facilities to ensure the education needs of the growing and changing population in Ipswich are satisfied. This helps make a major contribution towards improving the levels of education and skills of residents.
Does the plan provide childcare facilities and other support services? Yes
Policy CS17 Delivering Infrastructure sets the requirement for all development to meet the on and off-site infrastructure requirements needed to support the development and mitigate impacts on existing communities. Infrastructure includes childcare, early years and education.
Positive impact
Does the plan include managed and affordable workspace for local businesses which supports business start-up, development and survival?
Yes
The Plan explicitly encourages job growth and employment land protection throughout the Plan.
CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb includes a proposal for a workspace hub within the Community Centre in the Fonnereau Neighbourhood.
Positive impact
Does the plan promote the provision of a safe and pleasant working environment?
Yes
Policy CS13 Planning for Jobs Growth seeks to ensure that employment land is allocated throughout the Borough and it is likely that the majority of such land would be situated away from sources of pollution or areas of high crime rates.
Policy CS14 Retail Development and Main Town Centres Uses promotes environmental enhancement and greening of central and retail areas, which would help to improve the quality of where people work.
Policy CS16 Green Infrastructure, Sport and Recreation highlights the provision and enhancement of open and green spaces. This would help contribute towards higher quality home and work environments.
Positive impact
The Plan seeks to provide a safe and pleasant working environment with various policies to enhance green infrastructure around the Borough. Green Infrastructure can improve air quality, increase mental and physical health, for example through increased physical activity.
Social Cohesion and Lifetime Neighbourhoods
Does the plan include a mix of uses and a range
Yes Policy CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb seeks to deliver a significant quantity of homes that are of a mix and type to support the varied
Positive impact
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
of community facilities?
needs of Ipswich’s residents. The provision of open space, services and facilities would help to ensure that residents are situated within a community and do not feel excluded.
Policy CS13 Planning for Jobs Growth ensures that enough employment land is delivered in the Borough over the Plan period. The creation of new businesses may help to improve residents’ access to services and facilities.
Policy CS14 Retail Development and Main Town Centres Uses ensures that significant quantities of new retail space is provided in central locations. It also seeks to ensure uses for leisure, arts and culture are situated in central areas. This would help to ensure all members of the local community are able to access services and amenities equally.
The Plan includes a series of policies to protect and promote a range of community facilities.
Will the plan result in a public realm which is safe, legible, attractive and inclusive?
Yes
Policy ISPA2 Strategic Infrastructure Priorities aims to create healthy living environments. This could help to improve community interaction levels and community cohesion.
CS13 Planning for Jobs Growth ensures that enough employment land is delivered in the Borough over the Plan period. The creation of new businesses may help to improve residents’ access to services and facilities and thereby help to reduce the risk of social exclusion.
Policy CS14 Retail Development and Main Town Centres Uses seeks to protect and encourage space for leisure, arts and culture in central locations.
CS16 Green Infrastructure, Sport and Recreation seeks to protect and enhance open spaces and green infrastructure This would be expected to help ensure that all residents of the Borough are equally able to access green and open spaces as well as a diverse range of natural habitats that play an important role in social cohesion and that contributes to a sense of community.
Policy DM6 Provision of New Open Spaces, Sport and Recreation Facilities aspires to deliver high-quality spaces and facilities which may contribute towards an improvement of the public realm.
Positive impact
The Plan seeks to create a sustainable and healthy living environment through a multitude of policies enhancing green infrastructure networks, high quality development and accessible streetscapes. Thus, the potential to create a safe, legible, attractive and inclusive public realm is significant.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
Policy DM12 Design and Character requires new development to be well designed and sustainable. The layout and design of the development must provide a safe and attractive public realm capable of being used by all.
Are cultural and community facilities protected, or sites allocated in areas of deficit?
Yes
The NALEP Economic Strategy 2017 identifies the creative and cultural industries as sectors particularly well represent in Ipswich. Within the vision for Ipswich town centre in 2036 is to provide greater opportunities for leisure and cultural activities.
Policy CS2 The Location and Nature of Development identifies a focus to regenerate and sustainably grow Ipswich, by investing in cultural and leisure developments in Ipswich town centre.
Policy CS14 Retail Development and Main Town centre Uses identifies the county town as serving a significant rural hinterland, Ipswich is an important focus for sport, culture, leisure, and civic life for Ipswich residents and a wider population. The Policy aims to direct leisure, arts and culture development into the town centre and increase their promotion and marketing.
Policy DM27 Arts, Culture and Tourism ensures the retention and enhancement of existing facilities providing arts, cultural and tourisms facilities.
Positive impact
The Plan identifies the importance of protecting cultural and community facilities as the town has a wealth of arts, cultural and heritage assets.
Minimising the Use of Resources
Does the plan make best use of existing land and protect accessible amenity space?
Yes
Policy CS2 The Location and Nature of Development seeks to provide development in locations where people can easily access jobs, goods and services by the most sustainable modes of travel. The policy aims to direct development into the town centre while dispersing open space-based leisure uses throughout the town with green and blue linkages to enhance amenity across the town. The countryside is therefore protected from inappropriate development.
Policy CS13 Planning for Jobs Growth focuses the provision of new employment land on previously developed or brownfield locations, however, some of the provision will be on previously undeveloped land that could have pre-existing biodiversity value.
Positive impact
The Plan aims to make most effective and efficient use of land while protecting accessible amenity space.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
Policy CS16 Green Infrastructure, Sport and Recreation ensures the protection of open and green spaces across the Borough.
Policy DM18 Amenity seeks to protect the quality of life of occupiers and neighbours by only granting permission for development that does not result in an unacceptable loss of amenity.
Does the plan encourage recycling (including building materials)?
Yes
Policy CS4 Protecting our Assets seeks to encourage recycling and re-use of materials, use of renewable and low environmental impact materials during construction.
Policies DM1 Sustainable Construction and DM2 Decentralised Renewable or Low Carbon Energy set requirements for new homes to ensure sustainability including setting carbon footprint and water efficiency standards. New homes have a requirement of no more than 110 litres/person/day compared to the typical 125 litres.
Policy DM4 Development and Flood Risk seeks to deliver greater water efficiency measures such as rainwater harvesting, land drainage and SuDS.
Positive impact
The Plan seeks to encourage recycling and re-use of materials in all aspects of development from use of materials during construction and within new homes to improving resource efficiency.
Does the plan minimise waste and use of materials during the construction process and the impact of dealing with waste created? (e.g. increase traffic generated by transporting waste off site to be processed.)
Yes
Policy CS4 Protecting our Assets highlights
the Council’s view to encourage the use of
local reclaimed, renewable, recycled and low
environmental impact materials in
construction, in order to conserve finite natural
resources and minimise environmental
impacts. New development will also be
required to minimise the amount of waste
generated during construction and through the
lifetime of the building.
Policy DM1 Sustainable Construction requires development to incorporate sustainable drainage and water efficiency measures. The policy identifies that surface water should be managed as close to its source as possible, using sustainable urban drainage systems, green or blue roofs, soakaways and permeable paving.
Neutral impact
The Plan requires all new development to minimise waste generated, however, over the Plan period the Council proposes significant development across the Borough, in which large quantities of waste will be produced and increase the quantity sent to landfill.
Does the plan incorporate sustainable design and
Yes
Policy DM1 Sustainable Construction requires new residential development to meet a high standard of environmental sustainability. The policy further identifies that
Positive impact
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
construction techniques?
non-residential uses will be encouraged to achieve a minimum of BREEAM Very Good standard or equivalent.
Policy DM12 Design and Character requires new development to be well designed and sustainable. The layout and design of the development must provide a safe and attractive public realm capable of being used by all.
The Plan requires new development to be well designed and sustainable.
Does the plan protect green space (e.g. for cooling, flood alleviation)
Yes
Policies CS1 an CS2 ensure all future development is conducted in a sustainable way, including making efficient of land. This will result in some areas experiencing net gain and others a risk of permanent loss for development.
The Ipswich Surface Water Management Plan (2012) is currently under review, however, the action plan seeks to reduce flooding and prevent increased flooding from ‘urban creep’.
DM4 Development and Flood Risk ensures that development does not increase the risk of flooding in the area or elsewhere.
Policy DM9 Protection of Trees and Hedgerows seeks the protection of existing trees and addition of new trees to increase canopy cover and improve amenity and biodiversity value.
Policy DM18 Amenity seeks to protect the quality of life of occupiers and neighbours by only granting permission for development that does not result in an unacceptable loss of amenity.
Neutral impact
The Plan recognises the importance of blue and green infrastructure to contribute to urban cooling, microclimate effects and minimising urban flooding. The Plan distributes much of the desired development in locations where flood risk is not a concern. However, some sites are allocated for development in area of high risk of fluvial or surface water flooding including within the centre of Ipswich.
What impact does the plan have on sustaining or enhancing biodiversity and geodiversity?
Yes
Policy CS1 Sustainable Development outlines the commitment for future development which would result in the loss of previously undeveloped land and the potential permanent loss of soils and minerals.
Policy CS4 Protecting our Assets seeks to protect, maintain and enhance Ipswich’s built, historical and natural assets. New developments are required to incorporate provision for protecting enhancing local biodiversity and geodiversity interests.
Policy CS10 Ipswich Garden Suburb outlines the requirements for residential development located on the northern fringe of Ipswich known as Ipswich Garden Suburb.
Neutral impact
The Plan follows national policy to protect and enhance local biodiversity and geodiversity interests. Although some of the site allocations are located adjacent to Country Wildlife Sites including the River Gipping wildlife site. Additionally, the construction and occupation of the Garden Suburb, there could be an adverse impact on biodiversity due to the loss of agricultural land.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
Policy DM8 The Natural Environment specifies that Local Geological Sites (known within Ipswich Borough as Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (RIGS)) and County Geodiversity Sites are designated on the basis of locally developed criteria.
Climate Change
Does the plan incorporate renewable or low carbon energy? (e.g. wind and solar power)
Yes
Policy DM2 Decentralised Renewable or Low Carbon Energy requires all new build development of 10 or more dwellings or in excess of 1,000 sq.m of other residential or non-residential floorspace to provide at least 15% of their energy requirements from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon sources.
Positive impact
The Plan seeks to support the national planning system transition to a low carbon future.
Does the plan incorporate sustainable drainage techniques appropriate to the ground conditions?
Yes
Policy CS1 Sustainable Development is centred around the Council’s commitment to sustainable development, requiring sustainable drainage where appropriate.
Policy DM1 Sustainable Construction identifies the require for development to incorporate sustainable drainage and water efficiency measures.
Climate change predictions suggest that Ipswich may experience increased instances of flooding risks, during hotter drier summers and warmer wetter winters. Green and blue roofs are key measures in the delivery of effective sustainable drainage systems. They help to reduce the amounts of storm water run-off and attenuate the peak flow during a storm.
Policy DM4 Development and Flood Risk ensures that development will only be approved as long as it does not increase the overall risk of flooding and wherever practical appropriate application of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).
Policy DM23 The Density of Residential Development outlines the density for new housing developments in Ipswich. The policy recognises that sustainable drainage requires more space in some areas of town and impacts on achievable site density.
Positive impact
The Plan recognises the importance of SuDS.
Does the plan require the
Yes Policy CS1 Sustainable Development ensures all development considers the
Positive impact
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
provision of shade in the public realm?
economic, social and environmental effects and considers the context of a changing climate. The policy recognises the importance of greening the town to provide shade, intercept heavy rainfall and improve the state of river biodiversity.
Policies DM7, DM8, DM9, DM10 and D11 seek the protection and enhancement of vegetation in the Borough. Vegetation provides natural shade, an important feature in the public realm.
Policy DM12 Design and Character ensures all new development will be well designed and sustainable. The policy encourages enhancing the green infrastructure network within the Borough, outlining the importance of providing trees within urban areas to slow surface water run-off and combat the urban heat island effect.
The Plan recognises the benefits of trees and green infrastructure within the public realm which have a multitude of public health and well-being benefits.
Does the plan minimise the risk of flooding?
Yes
Policy CS1 Sustainable Development is centred around the Council’s commitment to tackling climate change
Policy CS17 Delivering Infrastructure sets out a commitment to new flood defences, which would be expected to help reduce the extent to which residents and businesses in Ipswich are vulnerable to flooding.
Policy CS18 Strategic Flood Defence highlights the importance of flood defence in the Core Strategy and commits the Council to the new flood defence infrastructure set out in Policy CS17. This would make a major contribution towards reducing the vulnerability of residents and businesses to flooding.
Policy CS20 Key Transport Proposals has the potential to help alleviate the risk of flooding by increasing the green infrastructure network across the Borough.
DM1 Sustainable Construction highlights that climate change predictions suggest that Ipswich may experience increased instances of flooding. The policy suggests green and blue roofs are key measures in the delivery of effective sustainable drainage systems to reduce storm water runoff and attenuate peak flows.
DM4 Development and Flood Risk requires development not to increase the overall risk of all forms of flooding in an area. It also seeks to
Neutral impact
Over the Plan period a significant number of new homes and associated infrastructure are planned to be delivered. The effect of this development in relation to flood risk depends on the location of the development and flood risk areas. Large scale development is proposed on green field sites which has the potential to alter wider flood risk.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
ensure that new development is adequately protected from flood risk in accordance with the NPPF and that new homes will remain safe for people for the lifetime of development.
Does the plan promote reduced carbon emissions and pollution? (e.g. insulation, sustainable construction methods)
Yes
Policy CS1 Sustainable Development is centred around the Council’s commitment to tackling climate change, which will only be achievable through a reduction in the Borough’s carbon footprint.
Policy CS2 The Location and Nature of Development outlines the importance for all residents and workers to access homes, jobs, services and amenities efficiently. The policy promotes travel via sustainable modes.
Policy CS4 Protecting our Assets would help to protect and enhance above ground vegetation that can provide an important air pollutant filtering service.
Policy CS5 Improving Accessibility supports a greater usage of sustainable transport modes and advocates for shorter distances travelled, having the potential to improve air quality in many locations across the Borough.
Policy CS17 Delivering Infrastructure seeks to enhance the public transport network. Further up take of public transport and sustainable methods of travel would be likely to limit greenhouse gas emissions from road traffic.
Policy CS20 Key Transport Proposals outlines the support for sustainable travel measures in Ipswich. The enhancement of the Borough’s public transport network will help to increase the uptake of more sustainable transport modes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with road vehicles.
Policy DM1 Sustainable Construction requires new homes to have carbon emissions of 19% below the Target Emission Rate of the 2013 Edition of the 2010 Building Regulations.
Policy DM2 Decentralised Renewable or Low Carbon Energy requires new developments of 10 or more dwellings to source 15% or more of their energy from decentralised and renewable, or low-carbon, sources.
Positive impact
The Plan outlines a range of policies which seek to reduce carbon emissions and pollution. Ipswich’s domestic carbon emissions decreased by 28% between 2005 and 2014 and with the various policies identified Ipswich’s emissions have the potential to decline further.
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Assessment Criteria
Relevant Details / Evidence
Potential Health Impact
(Positive / Neutral / Negative)
Policy DM3 Air Quality requires new developments to provide AQAs which can contribute to reducing the rate of greenhouse gas emissions from new developments.
Policies DM7, DM8, DM9, DM10 and D11 seek the protection and enhancement of vegetation. Including a target to reach of 22% canopy cover in the district by 2050. The Borough’s vegetation plays an important role in capturing and storing carbon.
Does the plan ensure that developments are resilient to future climate change? (e.g. sufficient cooling, shading and water efficiency)
Yes
Policy CS1 Sustainable Development is centred around the Plan’s commitment to tackling climate change through planning positively for development within the context of a changing climate.
Policy CS2 The Location and Nature of Development sets out to meet the need for development in locations where people can easily access the jobs, goods and services they want and need, by the most sustainable modes of travel. The policy requires development to demonstrate principles of high-quality architecture, urban design and is resilient to climate change.
Policy ISPA2 Strategic Infrastructure Priorities sets out a commitment to improving the water supply and treatment capacity in the area.
Policies DM8, DM9, DM10 and DM11 outline the importance of the natural environment in providing climate cooling and works to protect and enhance this climate cooling function.
Positive impact
The Local Plan identifies climate change as a key regional and Borough level issue. There are many ways in which the Ipswich Local Plan is aiming to help to tackle climate change and ensure that Ipswich in 2036 will be more resilient to its effects. Including reducing greenhouse gas emissions from travel and buildings, addressing flood risk in locating and designing development, supporting the development of renewable and low carbon energy capacity, requiring sustainable drainage where appropriate and greening the town to provide shade and intercept heavy rainfall.
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